Medical Care

• Disabilities
• Diseases
• Doctors & Hospitals
• Home Medical Equipment
• Medications
• Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy

Doctors and Hospitals

• Appointment Information
  Use this form to keep track of your loved one’s medical appointments.
  
  
• Being An Advocate For Your Loved One
  Some practical steps you can follow to make sure that your loved one gets the best possible medical care.
  
  
• Caregiver’s Log
  Use copies of this form to monitor daily changes and help with communication among care providers working in shifts.
  
  
• Caregiving, Hospitals, And Rehab
  If your loved one is spending time in a hospital or rehabilitation facility, your role as a caregiver becomes that much more important.
  
  
• Choosing the Right Doctor
  Consider the following questions and steps as you and your loved one evaluate physicians.
  
  
• Closing The Doctor-Patient Gap
  “Give it to me staight“ - advice on communicating with doctors from one of FamilyCare America’s experts.
  
  
• FTC.gov 
  A consumer website provided by the federal government that includes links to elder care and health care products and information.
  
  
• Deciding To Have Surgery
  If your loved one is considering surgery, make sure you both have all the information you need to make the right decision.
  
  
• Finding And Evaluating A Doctor
  To insure that your loved one receives proper medical care, you must first find a doctor that you both feel comfortable with.
  
  
• Getting The Information You Need
  When a loved one is in the hospital, it can difficult to find out exactly what the plan of treatment will be. But, as our expert points out, there are ways to get the information you need.
  
  
• Getting The Most From Your Doctor
  Clear communication between you, your loved one, and his or her doctor is an essential part of making sure that your loved one receives the best possible care.
  
• Healthfinder 
  Search Healthfinder to find consumer health information quickly and easily. Developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  
  
• How To Talk To Your Doctor 
  You, your loved one, and the doctor must be able to communicate effectively in order to plan and carry out important treatment goals.
  
  
• Making a Personal Medical History Chart
  A sample chart to help you document your loved one's medical history.
  
  
• Planning For Emergencies
  A little advance thinking can substantially minimize damaging consequences—and even save lives—in the event of an emergency.
  
  
• Speaking Out
  Some tips to help you be an effective advocate on behalf of your loved one.
  
  
• Spotting Health Fraud
  Unfortunately, the sick and elderly are often the targets of health fraud. How can you tell if your loved one has become a victim?
  
  
• The APMA 
  Find information on foot diseases, disorders, and disabilities—or search for a podiatrist online—at the American Podiatric Medical Association’s website.
  
  
• The American Dental Association 
  The homepage of the American Dental Association lists dentists by specialty, by city and state, or by name. Also contains consumer information on dental health.
  
  
• The American Medical Association 
  The AMA’s Physician Search Engine features listings for more than 650,000 health care providers.
  
  
• The American Optometric Association 
  The AOA’s homepage features consumer-oriented information on keeping your eyes healthy.
  
  
• The National Institutes of Health 
  The NIH website features health publications, resources, and information in English and Spanish.
  
  
• The National Library of Medicine 
  Look up doctors, dentists, hospitals, and medical topics from A to Z at the National Library of Medicine, a service of the National Institutes of Health.
  
  
• What Treatment Is Best For You?
  If your loved one has been diagnosed with a terminal or life-threatening illness, here are some issues for him or her to think about while considering different treatment options.
  

Rehabilitation & Physical Therapy

• Choosing A Rehabilitation Program
  A list of questions to consider as you and your loved one prepare to choose a rehabilitation program.
  
  
• Physical Therapist Search
  Find a certified physical therapist near you by searching the American Physical Therapy Association’s online directory.
  
  
• The APTA
  The homepage of the American Physical Therapy Association discusses how to choose a physical therapist, tips on taking care of your back, help with incontinence, and more.
  
  
• The NARIC
  The National Rehabilitation Information Center’s website features resources on disabilities, rehabilitation, and independent living.
  
  
• Weekly Rehab Calendar
  A form to help you and your loved one track his or her rehabilitation goals and successes.
  

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