Plan to Update the Doctor
Let your doctor know what has happened in your life since your last visit. Tell the doctor right away if you have been treated in the emergency room, seen by a specialist, or had an illness. Mention any changes you have noticed in your appetite, weight, sleep, energy level, or managing everyday care like bathing or brushing your teeth. Also tell the doctor about any recent changes in any medications you take or the effects they have had on you. Worksheet 5: Medications, on page 47 of this booklet can help.
Request an Interpreter if You Know You’ ll Need One
If your doctor doesn’ t speak your language, ask the office staff to provide an interpreter. Call the doctor’ s office ahead of time because they may need to plan for an interpreter from the same area or country to be available for you. For example, a Chinese interpreter may speak Cantonese or Mandarin. Ensuring that you can easily understand and talk with the interpreter is important for getting good care.
Resources in Spanish
If you are looking for written information in Spanish, there are resources that can help. For example, the National Institute on Aging( NIA) has brochures and fact sheets on a variety of health and aging topics. To get copies of these free publications, call 800-222-2225 or order them online at https:// order. nia. nih. gov.
Using an Interpreter
* Consider telling your interpreter what you want to talk about with your doctor before the appointment.
* If your interpreter does not come from the same country or background as you, try to use universal terms to describe your symptoms and communicate your concerns.
* Make sure your interpreter understands your symptoms or condition so that he or she can correctly translate your message to the doctor.
* Always let the doctor, your interpreter, or the staff know if you do not understand your diagnosis or the doctor’ s instructions. Don’ t let language barriers stop you from asking questions or voicing your concerns.
Summary
Getting Ready for an Appointment
• Be prepared: Make a list of physical and mental health concerns to take with you.
• Take your health history and medication information with you.
• Bring a family member or friend to listen and take notes.
• Make sure you can see and hear as well as possible.
• Plan to update the doctor on what has happened since your last visit.
• Request an interpreter from the same area or country if you need one.
8 Getting Ready for an Appointment