{"id":4465,"date":"2019-06-14T11:00:24","date_gmt":"2019-06-14T15:00:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www1.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=4465"},"modified":"2023-06-13T13:37:22","modified_gmt":"2023-06-13T17:37:22","slug":"aging-parent-refuses-to-go-to-doctor","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/aging-parent-refuses-to-go-to-doctor\/","title":{"rendered":"5 tips to encourage your dad to go to the doctor"},"content":{"rendered":"

Does your father think he\u2019s as \u201chealthy as an ox,\u201d but acts as stubborn as a mule when it comes to visiting a doctor? He\u2019s not alone. According to a 2019 <\/span>survey<\/span><\/a> conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, only about 50% of men regularly see their healthcare provider for preventive care like vaccinations and screening tests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, 20% of men admitted that they had not been completely honest with their healthcare provider in the past, and 72% would choose to do household chores rather than a visit with their provider.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a loved one, it can be hard to know how to encourage your father to go to the doctor and be mindful of his health. Here,<\/span> Kate Granigan<\/span><\/a>, a member of the <\/span>Aging Life Care Association<\/span><\/a>\u2019s board of directors and CEO of LifeCare Advocates, shares 5 tips for encouraging a parent to go to healthcare appointments.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Understand their hesitation<\/b><\/h2>\n

Maybe your dad was raised to be stoic and show no signs of pain. For that or many other reasons, confronting his declining health could be anxiety-inducing. Many older adults experience <\/span>fear<\/span><\/a> about their physical and mental health as they age, whether it be about cancer, heart disease, or cognitive decline. They also may worry about burdening loved ones or facing the possibility of long-term care.<\/span><\/p>\n

Or maybe it\u2019s about control. As we age, we lose control over many things, including our health. And while it\u2019s true no one has control over their genetics, many <\/span>steps<\/span><\/a> can improve overall health and quality of life, such as getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night, eating a healthy diet, engaging in regular exercise, and\u2014you guessed it!\u2014regular visits to the doctor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Whether your father wants to look strong or feel like he has control left over his life, the first step in encouraging him to make an appointment is ensuring you understand his hesitation about going. Have an open and honest conversation to find out where he\u2019s coming from so you can ease some of his fears.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>9 reasons annual checkups are a good thing <\/b><\/a>| <\/b>21 ways to sleep better tonight<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Make it relatable<\/b><\/h2>\n

Put your dad\u2019s health care into his terms. If you\u2019ve watched him limping for six months and know he loves to go golfing, ask him if he\u2019s thought about how the doctor might help get him back on the links.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou have to incentivize him,\u201d Granigan advises. \u201cIt has to be meaningful. Don\u2019t come at it from a \u2018you must\u2019 perspective, but rather a \u2018I wonder if you\u2019ve considered this\u2019 perspective.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And if he won\u2019t consider it for himself, you could make it about the family. Use a prompt like, \u201cIf you don\u2019t want to go to the doctor for yourself, then do it for <\/span>us<\/span><\/i>.\u201d Offer to help schedule the appointment and drive him there on the day of.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Get creative<\/b><\/h2>\n

Maybe your dad\u2019s problem isn\u2019t the office visit itself, but rather the trouble it takes to get there. For example, if he\u2019s got bad knees, traveling to an office on the far side of a hospital would be painful or uncomfortable. Or maybe he\u2019s embarrassed about discussing aspects of his health in person. For instance, about <\/span>44%<\/span><\/a> of men prefer talking about sexual health issues like <\/span>erectile dysfunction<\/span><\/a> over the phone or online.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In that case, suggest a creative approach: Bring the care into his home. Home options, such as visiting doctors or concierge medicine, are available in many areas\u2014or for the tech-savvy pops out there, telehealth will allow him to see a healthcare provider straight from his phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Guide to telehealth<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

4. Bring a friend<\/b><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to suggest to your father that\u2014if he decides to go\u2014he should bring two things with him to his provider\u2019s office: <\/span>a list of questions about any health concerns<\/span><\/a> and a trusted person who can help take notes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHaving someone attend as their note-taker and listener is a way to reduce stress because they won\u2019t have to remember everything all at one time,\u201d Granigan says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You could also volunteer to go with him yourself. If you do join your father at his appointment, follow these <\/span>tips<\/span><\/a>:<\/span><\/p>\n