Will we be able to accompany elders to appointments now that things are opening back up with restrictions?

I wish I had an answer for this. My mom's initial geriatrician appointment was supposed to be in April but of course that didn't happen. Even though my state is opening in stages, and bars and nail salons were just allowed to reopen (with appropriate protocols), the geriatric practice has no plans to reopen. Not saying that the won't ever open, I am sure that they will. But not anytime soon. Very frustrating as my mom needs a diagnosis and appropriate medication! And I will certainly need to be present when she does finally get seen. She refuses to acknowledge anything is wrong.

I would say it depends on the situation.
A "minor" in a dental chair..is the minor 6 or 16?
Lab work done on a 2 month old or a 17 year old?
A school exam for a first grader or a senior?
You can request to stay in the waiting room and that request should be approved. If you are wearing a mask and keep away from other people.
There is no way I would have left my Husband in a doctors office he would have had no concept as to what was going on, if a question were asked he would not have been able to respond and if by some miracle he did I would not have trusted the validity of the response.
Doctors offices must realize this and make exceptions for the "vulnerable" population, those that can not make decisions or comprehend questions or instructions.

An update to my answer from 5/13. Today, I was able to accompany my sister and sit with her while she had her first iron infusion.

I just took my 92 yr mother to her retinal eye appt. on the door it said patients only.  I went in with her and no one said anything. I was prepared to let them know that there was no way she was going in by herself because I know that she won't remember what he said nor she might not know what he is asking her.  She does NOT have dementia, but is at the age where she is not concentrating fully and plus she needs her ears checked out which is next week.  AND IF I had a child (depending on age), I would insist that I be there also with them....of course with mask on.  I don't care if someone would have liked it or not.  I am there as an advocate for someone that won't remember or think to ask questions.  So I would just let them know ahead of time that you WILL be joining them for the appt in case information is required from or given to the doctor. good luck

Havent dealt with it,but many suggestions:Wait if at all possible as more and more data graphically illustrate how easily and quickly viruses spread in enclosed places. One thin mask will not keep covd out of eyes and to a large degree,out of your nose and mouth because Many particles are 1 micron and hang in the air until turbulance is created by someone walking/moving alot,a fan,door closing,etc.

Before appointment:have detailed information ready for dr. Daily log of symptoms or changes,concerns,suggestions on further tests with ?,printed downloads from really good medical/research sites such as Gerontology,Neurology,epidemiology,etc. You should be researching relevant medical conditions on biorxiv or one of the academic journal websites-tons of them!

Bring a recorder if dr. Will allow-s/he will have to witness your parents acceptance of this. Have dr. Write copious notes-should be printed by printer in this day and age. Follow up on phone with further questions. Good luck

It depends on the doctor office policy and I get them only allowing the patient in, unless, they are not competent. The fewer the people the less the risk.

If you want the doctor to get certain info about her condition, sign her up on the doctor office online portal. Most places have them. It provides private messaging directly to the doctor. You can request refills, make appointments, etc. I have found it very helpful for my parents.

We currently have a stay at home order. I had to take my dad to the doctor and had no problem with being allowed in. I think it depends on the age of the person and most doctors understand that their job will be easier if the caregiver is there as well. People with dementia, especially, would be calmer with a family member present.

Imho, your answer will be determined by your own State's or Municipality's jurisdiction.

My hubby had to go to dermatologist for skin cancer surgery. We walked in, she took his temperature, and asked me to wait in the car. I just looked at her. She said, "Oh, are you his caregiver?" l said "yes". That was that, my temperature was taken and I went in. I stayed with him the entire time. There were only a couple of people in the waiting room, everyone miles apart. The second time we went back to get his stitches out, it was the same. I had an appointment too. They started to put me in a separate room, I told the gal I was not comfortable with this because he has Alzheimer's. So, I went into his room again. The gal told the Doctor that hubby had Alzheimer's and I needed to be with him. No problem.

It’s entirely dependent on how the practice/facility is run. I have a friend who took his wife to the hospital for surgery this morning. He had to drop her off in the parking lot. Only patients are allowed in. He said there was line of patients waiting to be allowed inside the hospital.

My minor son had to see a doctor last week. My husband was allowed to stay with him the entire time. He just had to wear a mask.

There is still a Constitution with rights. You can choose not to exercise those rights if you feel that is the best thing to do.

My mother is in memory care and I have some questions about medical concerns. I am trying to set up a telehealth video conference but it's been a challenge in itself.

I will always accompany my mother to all her appointments. We had done Telehealth a few times and it worked out just fine, but there are times she will need to see a doctor face to face. I do not see a problem with her doctors allowing me in on the visit, they know me well for over twenty years. I would never allow my mother to go to an appointment alone even if I waited in the waiting room. My mother would be frightened and would forget what the doctor said. I always insisted on staying with my mother while she was hospitalized, I threatened one time to call administration if they did not consent. I was able to stay, but I took care of her for the most part, which helped the nursing staff. Coronavirus pandemic might be a different story, but I would do my best to be with her if the need arises.

One of my older clients ran into this limitation. It was solved by having daughter included by cell phone/Facetime, Zoom throughout session. Daughter was in her car, in parking lot of doctor's office/clinic.

I am sure that any competent doctor will allow you to sit in at the meeting in order to give them accuarte information an to get proper feed back. If they don't, then fire them and get a new doctor.

I had to take my elderly father for a medical procedure ,and when we arrived.I had to give his name and time of appointment prior to being buzzed in.Once in our temperatures were checked and hand sanitizer given.

There were no other patients.
Nor were we allowed to sit in the waiting area.Luckily I was able to get a wheelchair for my dad.

I filled out all neccessary paperwork as I wasn't given the option in advance, but my dad had to sign even though I have POA.

Although at first I was allowed to go with my dad to his procedure. I was soon asked to wait either outside the office or in the car

When the procedure was done I was called to come back inside ,but when I went in my dad was waiting outside the office in the vestibule with staff.

I forgot to mention I received a text confirming the appointment asking a few Covid19 questions regarding my dad and to respond to the text once we'd arrive.

We were then instructed to wait in the car until a text was sent stating to come in

This is the Covid19 edition of doctors appointments and I assume something similar will occur for sometime

Verrrrry slowly, things will open up, and the numbers of COVID will be watched carefully.

I had 2 drs appts that were done via SKYPE and one was just using My Chart. I had to miss one chemo follow up as I would have to be in the hospital for 5 hrs. I do have one on June 11th and it's looking like I will have to go unaccompanied. But, that could change.

People aren't meant to go forever with no other human contact and certainly not without medical attention. The depression and anxiety I am seeing among my friends is staggering. We are actually having a couple of friends over today to visit. We will maintain 6' distance, but we're not wearing masks in the house.

I am so excited to see somebody besides my DH I am just gleeful!

I'm in Cleveland area, land of the non-profit (LOL) Cleveland CLinic where most of my folks medical people are. I have to say our newer doc won my heart the other day...although dad had a virtual visit with my help a few weeks back, he had a couple minor issues of concern that the MD wanted to see...a growth on his leg, now a similar one inside the edge of his upper ear, a painful toe being treated with pred, and some on-going sporadic dizziness (because he consistently is sleeping on a flat pillow and then gets up). Although we live under the same roof I still try to maintain distancing because I am the one tending to their needs and going out several times a week for essentials (the delivery routine just wasn't working well). Dad's doc offered to see him outside on the parking lot! We called when we got there, told them where we were parked and he came out. Suggested if things were not improved in a month or two he could see dad in the office...but the other stuff looked okay and not-serious. For comparison: I called the dermatology person we have a June appt with and asked if she could do the same and she said not. So it's possible we may opt to cancel the appt with her and reschedule for a later time. LIke Dad's doc said, he wasn't risking it with a 103 year old-)

I had a dermatology appointment last week solo. I queried about my DH appointment as he's 100% dementia disabled, declared incompetent (couldn't even tell you our address or home phone) and they told me I would be allowed in with him but would have to leave him in car while signing in and we would be place in one of the surgical rooms rather than a regular one. I don't know what would happen if he had a heart event (he's had several) because he can't answer half the questions and the others he answers wrong!!

To be on safe side, you need to call ahead of time to see what’s what

I’ve had 2 medical appointments: MD (internal medicine) with office in a multi 7 story physicians office type building and a lab blood draw in a lab unit in a 3 story building both adjacent to speciality hospital. All 3 are interconnected via 3rd level enclosed walkways as well as outside entries. Huge parking garage and 2 surface lots plus meter parking,
I'm in New Orleans and these were in past 2.5 weeks.

Ahead of both, I got a text to confirm appointment and a separate text with a link as to the new policy for who is allowed in. Both needed to be acknowledged to get scheduling ticket. I did get a snail mail on MD appointment with a sentence to check their website for new entry policy as well.

Basically entry policy is only the person with appointment is allowed in unless they are not at all ambulatory. All usual entrances - including flyover door ones to come in from parking garage- were closed except for 1 centralized entry at ground floor of doctors offices building. This is the one that was the old concierge / drop off entrance, so you could have a driver pull up and drop you off. My hubs dropped me off and waited in a free parking lot for me. You waited 6’ apart to get to the 1st checkpoint inside the building. I was solo; ahead of me was a lady maybe 70’s getting chemo who was pretty frail but moving; behind me was 80’s elder in wheelchair with granddaughter. All of us got dropped off from a car with its own family member driver. Chemo lady & me came in wearing masks and blue gloves. There was security and 2 masked & gloved probably CNAs who helped the grannie get into another wheelchair, check in her wheelchair & explain situation to her and granddaughter (more below). For chemo lady & me, we both showed our drivers license at a table staffed with 2 RNs, quick match up for our respective appointments. RN took temps and we got a sticker with time and temp reading. Sticker was one of those sm round neon ones placed on my L shoulder. Mine was green so I was temp ok. Hers was orange, she was at 100 & I knew this because she mentioned it aloud. After this we each went to podium with another staffer & security guard and each of us got a rectangular sticker with our foto taken and where our apt was. Placed on R side, Chemo lady got a aide (Gowned, mask, gloved) to walk with her over to chemo unit. I walked over to elevators, but was a staffer there who hit all buttons and asked me if I knew where offices were, Which I did, plus I’m a pretty definite personality so I don’t usually get challenged on stuff, so I got in elevator by myself and off to lab, office thru 2 buildings solo. For lab, like 5 intake staffers, so no waiting to check in. Maybe 10 chairs in waiting room where before maybe 40. Everybody solo too. Was a very pregnant mom who got a temp check while I was waiting my blood draw. There’s temperature police with handhelds & stickers Roaming hallways, all very perfunctory. They know your name as your wearing your ID sticker. Waiting maybe 5 min to get blood work done. So 10 min to get stuff done. To exit, I got checked in at elevators to go down and again, staff hit buttons. Was notated when I exited outside too. Maybe 45 min to get in & out.

Pretty much same for MD visit. Waiting room 20-25% & everyone solo

Grannie was not allowed to use her wheelchair & granddaughter not allowed to accompany her. Lots of caterwauling from them on this and on putting on masks, gloves as I entered the elevators. The wheelchair had stuff on it, big tote bag & granddaughter had filled backpack. Nothing was getting in; no excuses was the vibe. There is security too so it was gonna be enforced if gran was going to her appointment. I assume she did as requested.

Only duo’s I saw were a parent with a teen. (We have a Children's Hospital). Really call ahead of time to see exactly what’s what for the new normal for your area. & travel light.

I have not run into this yet but my opinion is that a primary caregiver, be it for a minor, or anyone who is dependent on someone else for mental or physical assistance, ought to be able to attend the appointment. One more person in the room/clinic, especially one who has already been exposed to the patient (because they drove them there) isn't going to make things less safe. Anyone else can wait in the car. I know most offices that are open are spacing out appointments so that there are not people waiting in the waiting room close together.

My sister accompanied my mother to her doctor appointments. Wearing masks of course. The doctor knows mom so would not want an appointment without one of us there. They also do virtual meetings for the previsit to discuss issues prompting the appointment. If you have a doctor who is not allowing you to be in the room and your elder cannot manage without you I would find a new doctor who understood his patient’s needs. For dentists that is very different because the procedure has already been planned. Many parents sit in waiting rooms even in good times.

Here in BC, many appointments are done by phone and if the doctor feels they need to do a physical exam it is booked. Anyone young or old can have one person accompany them to the appointment.

I attended a doctor's appointment with my grandson and his mother last month and will attend again this month. I provide respite care for my grandson and give the Mum a ride to appointments. We were not asked to wear masks, but the doctor did, we were asked to sanitize our hands.

My Dad was taken to the hospital 2x by ambulance in April, my brother attended with him each time. I am not sure if he rode in the ambulance or drove in his car. Once was due to a fall, the second a possible TIA.

Someone mentioned kids and the dentist. My kids are all adults, but after age 5 I would have been comfortable leaving them with the dentist. But, we have a fantastic dentist and my children loved to go see him from an early age. I often would run other errands while they were being seen.

Yesterday I took my dad to a hospital for lab work in Oregon. I was allowed to go through the front door, but turned back at registration. I had to go wait in the car even though he is quite disabled. Someone came and knocked on the car window when he was ready to come out.

It would be helpful if folks would say where they are when answering. In Tucson, AZ, I was able to go into 3 Doctor's offices this week for appointments. Each had a different protocol, but no problem to accompany.

I took my parents (96/94)to their GP 6 month check up this week. I was able to go with them in the room. The nurse took our temp when we arrived and we wore mask. I think it depends on your location.

I took my 92 yr old Mother to her pain management Dr. 3 weeks ago and I was not allowed in the Dr.'s office. After a couple of minutes they came and got me after failing to understand Mother. Took her back yesterday and the nurse insisted that I come back with her. Yesterday was the first time she had been out of her Independent Living apartment in 3 weeks. She was very apprehensive about going outside.

My mom is 91-yr old w/dementia; had her 1st doctor visit this wk where I wasn’t allowed to go inside. We planned ahead & practiced talking using cell phones with FaceTime/Google Duo. I was “virtually” with mom the entire time she was inside the dr’a office. Explained to the nurse who came out to get mom & she made sure that the phone was situated so I could see & hear, and could talk to the doc. Also, consider using a transport chair so that your LO may not have to exit the chair or touch any public surface at any time during the appt. it’s easy to wipe down/sanitize afterward. Be calm, plan ahead. Less stress for your LO!!

My husband was not able to accompany me to an office visit to my urologist at a clinic last week. Now, I'm not not in need of assistance for any physical or mental problem so it was fine.

Yesterday I accompanied my mother to her office visit with her urologist. I was impressed with the precautions the hospital took. My brother and niece were not allowed in the waiting room so they waited in the van. Two people were in the waiting room only, all wearing masks. We were given a fresh mask each and one to take home. We sanitized our hands before and after visit per hospital protocol. I felt safe the whole time. I was able to be with my mom during the visit being her primary caregiver. The staff nurse told me they would make an exception because of my mothers age. I didn't have to ask.