How much do you know about your dad’s health? Like many adult children of aging parents, you likely know the basics. You know he’s had an enlarged prostate. You know he had surgery to fix a broken leg. That’s a good start, but you could be missing pertinent information if something happened.
To make sure you know everything of importance, talk to your dad about going to his next doctor’s visit. You don’t have to be in the room for the actual exam, but you could be there near the end to ask questions. If your dad is agreeable, join him and ask these four questions.
Should He Be Changing His Diet?
You need to find out if your dad should be making dietary changes. Is his blood pressure high or borderline? Lowering salt content may help. If his blood sugar levels are too high, a diet that carefully monitors sugar intake may be advised.
Talk to your dad about his fiber and protein intake. Many doctors won’t recommend multivitamins unless there is a risk of malnutrition. Ask your dad’s doctor if he should be taking any vitamin supplements.
Are There Restrictions When It Comes to Exercise?
Find out if there are any restrictions when it comes to exercise. If your dad has been talking about trying a Zumba class, ask his doctor if it’s okay. If he has an underlying health issue, aerobic exercise programs may not be advised.
You can get a list of exercises the doctor recommends. Follow that list to make sure your dad gets enough exercise each day.
Has Your Dad Been Screened for Certain Conditions?
Men don’t always like talking about their feelings or mood. Depression is common, however, and it’s worth having a conversation. Talk to the doctor about the signs of depression and what you should be looking for. If you’ve noticed them, ask what can be done to help ease your dad’s depressed state.
You should also ask if he’s been screened for lung cancer, especially if he’s a smoker, osteoporosis, and had a colonoscopy. If he hasn’t, ask why not and take steps to make sure that happens.
Is He On Medications?
Find out if your dad has prescriptions for medications. Ask why he takes them and if there are side effects or contraindications you should know about. If he’s not supposed to drink after taking a medication, you need to know that and take steps to make sure he doesn’t.
It’s important to stay in the loop when it comes to your dad’s health. You’ll know when it’s time for senior care services. You don’t want your dad to struggle, so hire senior care aides to help him with daily tasks that are starting to be too difficult for him to manage on his own.
If you or an aging loved one is considering senior care in Centennial, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Denver. Call today: (303) 756-9322.
