Page 31 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - July 2016 - 23-07

you can make the system work for
you, not against you.
• Recognize that not all questions
have answers – especially those
beginning with why.
• Appreciate what the health care
team is doing to help and say thank you from time to time.
Separate your anger and frus- tration about not being able to help your loved one as much as you would like to from your feel- ings about the health care team. Remember, you are both on the same side.
So what should you ask the Vet- eran’s health care provider?
The list of questions below can help you prepare for discussions with a Veteran’s health care providers (e.g., doctor visit, mental health counseling, trip to the emergency room, medical center discharge planning session, etc.) The questions are organized
by category. Not all of these ques- tions may apply to you, so select the questions that best fit yours and the Veteran’s needs. This information has been adapted, with permission, from the National Family Caregiver As- sociation resource “Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Providers.”
About Medical Care in General:
• What might have caused this condi- tion/illness?
• What is this condition/illness called?
• Is this condition/illness likely to go
away on its own?
• Is the pain likely to diminish or go
away?
• How do you want to treat this condi-
tion/illness?
• What are other ways to treat this
condition/illness?
• What are the risks associated with
these treatments?
• What is the likely future of this con-
dition/illness with the recommended treatment? Without the recommend- ed treatment?
• What is the time frame for the treat- ment?
• Is a hospital stay necessary?
• What is the expected recovery time?
About Medical Tests and Procedures:
• Is the recommended test or pro-
cedure necessary to confirm or
disprove a diagnosis?
• Will the findings of the test change
the way the condition/illness is man-
aged?
• What are the risks involved?
• What happens if the Veteran refuses
to undergo this test?
• How expensive is the test and will it
be covered by insurance?
• Will the test require a change in any
of the medications the Veteran is
taking?
• What are the chances of inaccurate
test results?
• What is the test procedure?
• How will the test make the Veteran
feel? Will it be painful?
• How should I help the Veteran pre-
pare for this test?
• Will the Veteran need help getting
home afterward?
• Who will interpret the test results? • Will someone call with the test
results or should I phone for them? • Can test results be sent directly to
me or the Veteran?
About How the Doctor’s Office Works:
• What days/hours is the office open?
• How are medical emergencies
handled?
• When is the best time to reach the
doctor by phone, fax or e-mail?
• Which method of communication
does the doctor prefer?
• Who can answer questions if the
doctor is not available?
• Who can I call after hours or when
the doctor is away?
Regarding the Costs of Medical Care:
• What costs are not covered by the
Veteran’s health benefits through
VA?
• Approximately how much can I
expect to pay in the long run for
treatment?
• What private insurance plans do you
accept?
Planning for Discharge from the Hospital/Health Care Facility:
As part of the process of planning for a Veteran being discharged from a medical center or health care facility, many issues related to the Veteran’s care need to be resolved. As soon as you know the Veteran you care for is going to be admitted to the hospital, find out who is in charge of the dis- charge process and arrange a meeting to gather specific answers to the fol- lowing questions:
• Where is the Veteran going to go after discharge? (Return to the previous setting? Go someplace else temporarily? Move permanently to a new location?)
• Who will provide additional home health care if it is needed?
• Does the Veteran need any home health equipment? What kind?
• Do physical and/or occupational therapy visits need to be arranged?
• What additional services may be needed and for how long (e.g., Meals-on-Wheels, hospice care, housekeeping)?
• What paperwork needs to be pro- cessed to get these services lined up?
• How will the added expenses be paid for?
• What additional skills do I need to learn so I can care for the Veteran properly?
The VA Caregiver Support offers resources and information to help you stay on top of things and manage the daily stresses of family caregiving. See more at www.caregiver.va.gov/toolbox
Senior Times - July 2016
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