Preparing for your appointment can help you make the most of your time with the doctor. If you or someone you know is showing signs or symptoms of a neurodegenerative disease, including dementia, discussing these concerns with a doctor is an important first step. The following tips can help you prepare and ensure a productive visit.
Communication Tips
Building a strong relationship and ensuring clear communication with your doctor are essential for receiving the best care for you and the person with dementia. Use the tips below to help make your appointment as effective as possible:
- Be prepared: Confirm that your referring doctor has completed the necessary steps listed on the Make a Referral page several days before your appointment. Use these worksheets to track your medical history, recent health changes, concerns, and current medications. Bring two copies of your completed worksheets to review together, a pen, and paper for notes. Arrive early to complete any required forms.
- Speak up: Doctors often address key concerns early in the visit. Be sure to mention your most important health issues at the beginning of the appointment to ensure they are prioritized. Use your worksheets as a guide to organize your thoughts.
- Listen and take notes: Doctor visits can feel rushed, and it’s easy to forget what was discussed. Take notes during the appointment or ask for permission to record the conversation using your smartphone or recorder. If you don’t have time to take notes during the visit, take a few minutes afterward in the waiting room to write down what you remember.
- Ask questions: If anything is unclear, don’t hesitate to ask for clarification. It’s important to understand your doctor’s instructions and recommendations to ensure they fit your personal, cultural, and financial situation. Before you leave, make sure you fully understand the information shared during the visit.
For additional tips, review:
Questions to Prepare for a Healthcare Visit
To make the most of your appointment, prepare a list of questions in advance. Writing them down and leaving space for answers can help you stay organized. Below are some examples:
Before the Visit
Come prepared with written notes. This helps ensure concerns are addressed even if time is limited.
Bring:
- A brief timeline of changes in memory, behavior, language, mood, or daily function
- Examples of how symptoms affect daily life (medications, finances, driving, cooking, safety)
- A complete medication list (including supplements and over-the-counter products)
- Names of other clinicians involved in care
- A caregiver notebook or folder to keep visit summaries and test results in one place
Key Questions to Ask Your Clinician
Understanding the Problem
- Do you know what is wrong? How do you know?
- What type of dementia (or cognitive condition) do you think this might be, and what makes you think that?
- Are there other conditions that could be causing or worsening these symptoms?
Tests and Evaluation
- What tests do I need, and why?
- What do these tests involve (blood tests, imaging, cognitive testing)?
- Are there risks, preparation steps, or alternatives?
- What information will the results give us, and how will they affect care decisions?
Specialist Care
- Should I see a specialist?
- If yes, which type (neurology, geriatrics, psychiatry, memory clinic)?
- What would a specialist add beyond primary care?
- How urgent is the referral?
Follow-Up and Monitoring
- Do I need a follow-up visit?
- How often should cognition or function be reassessed?
- Are there changes I should watch for? Examples: safety issues, rapid decline, behavior or mood changes, new confusion, medication side effects
Communication and Next Steps
- When should I contact you?
- What symptoms or situations require a call or urgent evaluation?
- Who should I contact between visits (nurse, care coordinator, portal message)?
- Can you provide a written visit summary or care plan?
Information and Support
- Where can I find reliable information, advice, and resources?
- Are there local caregiver supports, education programs, or social work services you recommend?
- Can you refer us to community resources for caregiver support or respite?
During the Visit
- Ask the clinician to explain findings in plain language and summarize their working diagnosis.
- Clarify the short-term plan (tests, referrals, safety steps) and the long-term plan (monitoring, support, progression).
- Confirm that both the patient and caregiver understand the next steps.
After the Visit
Write down:
- Test dates and expected result timelines
- Referrals and contact information for social work, case management, and community support programs
- Specific symptoms that should prompt a call
Share the plan with other family members or caregivers as appropriate.
It may also be helpful to share this website (memory.ucsf.edu) with your healthcare provider before your visit.
Taking these steps can help ensure you leave your appointment with all the information and resources you need to manage your health or support a loved one effectively.