I'm 78 with HBP and other age-related stuff, but I live alone, take care of myself, drive, shop etc. Why am I seeing a doc 3-4?

I think it is becoming more common to have our pictures taken at the doctor’s office. I had to take a photo.

I am fortunate to have a wonderful doctor who doesn’t speak down to me. I have dealt with this in the past with other doctors and it is infuriating.

Have you considered switching to a different doctor? If you don’t want to then please tell the doctor how you feel. Also fill out the survey form that you receive.

Wishing you all the best.

I as well refuse to engage in anything that diminishes my husband as fully functioning individual.
He has Parkinson’s disease, no dementia whatsoever, yet, often he is belittled
They talk to me about his issues as if he is not present.

Effie, if it was me, and it may be someday, I would sit down and make a list of what I am willing and want to do at a certain age. Get it all figured out what you are willing to do and what you are unwilling to do

For example do you want to do the cognitive test, or do you find them not necessary.

Do you want dialysis, feed tubes, if ever needed . Figure this all out on paper, put a copy with your important medical paperwork . And give it to your doctor and have a long talk with him.

They run my mother around like crazy, which in turns runs me around. At 88 she still goes the the gyno yearly.

Figure this out all now. Me there is no way I'd be happy living from one appointment to the next. But everyone is different

The need for the picture is to hopefully prevent medical identity theft. Or worst case scenario- if a patient is hospitalized and wanders off, there is a picture to help find them. Most clinic and hospital systems ask for that but you should be allowed to refuse it if you wish.

I am sorry if you experienced age-ism in regards to your health care. They are required to ask the depression questions and other "lifestyle" questions, continence, falls, etc. They sound very nosy but mainly they're just asking some of this stuff because they have a template to fill out in the chart.

I was lucky enough to find a geriatric medicine specialist for my mom- I am NOT saying you are geriatric- but I was happy with the approach and interaction they had with her. They did not talk over her head to me when we went in and did not patronize her. She lived to be 101 and did indeed get dementia but she was always spoken to kindly and with respect.

I hope you find a general practitioner, internal medicine provider or whoever- that treats you with respect and dignity.

Medicare covers 1 annual wellness check every 12 months, that I'm aware of (and I just turned 65 so I had mine).

I'm sorry you had a poor experience. I live in MN and it seems after every visit I get a letter or email survey sent to me. See if your network or clinic has such a thing. Give constructive criticism and then offer a way you'd improve it.

You have "HBP and other age-related stuff..." like what stuff, exactly? Obviously something your docs think you should keep an eye on. You currently "... live alone, take care of myself, drive, shop etc" -- that's great! Until you can't! If you are by yourself then all the more reason to stay on top of your health... even if it means "annoying" check-ins 3-4 times a year. Some people in other countries would give anything to have medical access like that...

I do get "carded" every time I go (I have to show my photo ID). It's a pain but it's because people abuse the system (people allow others who haven't paid into the medical insurance to pretend they are that person or on their coverage).

Also, here's another perspective: I've been to other countries with dismal healthcare ("free" or "national"): having to bribe doctors (Hungary), having incredibly long wait times for important surgeries; not up on the latest treatments, lack of facilities and clinic, etc. Although here in the States our system is far from perfect, it's still pretty darn good compared to many others.

Up until recently, the Saudi royal family flew to the Mayo Clinic here in Rochester, MN for their annual wellness check every year (and my friend who was staying at the Ronald MacDonald House verified this urban legend with their own eyes because even I didn't quite believe it). I just learned the Saudis made a deal to have their medical center become part of the Mayo Clinic network.

https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/international-medical-center-in-saudi-arabia-joins-mayo-clinic-care-network/

I just had my yearly, 74, and none of this happened to me. Since I hate my picture taken, that would not happen. No cognitive test, I probably would turn that down. I have never been talked to like a child.

Moms PCP had her coming every two months. In my State its required that you see the Dr every 6 months for med refills. I took her to the appt. A nurse, family friend asked me why Mom was there again. I said I did not know but if he asks "So why are we here today?" It will be the last time she comes back unless she is sick or needs refills. He asked and I told him because he requested to see her in 2 months. No appt was made after that appt. Walked right out the door.

You have a right to say NO. No to ur picture being taken, no to the cognitive test, no to answering degrading questions. Also, asking you not being talked to like a child. If therebis nothing major going on with your heath, like something they need to watch, I see no reason for appts 3 or 4x a year.

Soon to be 77 here, I go once a year unless I have an issue. Honestly I take nothing but Nexium for Acid Reflux, no issues otherwise.

Humana calls me on a somewhat regular basis, wanting to do a in home check, agreed to one 7 years ago, it was a joke for me,

One of the questions was " Do you still drive"? Yes, also drive a 40ft motorhome and tow a car by myself...."Oh My, how do you do that"?...then she says "I would be so afraid"!

Along with the other questions, I wrote that off my list of things to do.

Frankly, I cannot imagine why. I am 81 and see my MD, unless something unusual pops up (as did a pesky little cancer this year), only once a year. Other than that my doctor does check in with me on my blood pressure, which I measure at home daily. I will get an email from her asking what my last 5 pressures were.

For certain your doctor must, according to Medicare RULES now, see you once a year at least to speak with you, and this fulfills the stipulation that they check mentation once yearly.

Can you tell us why your doctor is asking to see you so often?
Other than blood pressure, what ongoing problems, if any, do you have?

I've never had my photo taken at the doctors office, ever, and I've seen A LOT of doctors lately. If you feel belittled and insulted by these medical people, I suggest you tell them how you feel. Stop agreeing to any medical appointments you feel are unnecessary to your wellbeing. Most people are finding they have to wait for months to get an appointment, so canceling yours would open up spots for those in need. Think of it that way.

Doctors can get overwhelming.

Mom will need an X-ray, then they see something, then an ultrasound, then blood work, then oops, more X-rays because they didn't x-ray the right spot. All to find nothing.

Some aging people really like to go to the doctors, it makes them feel better and less worry.

Maybe explain to your doctor that you want to cut down on the appointments.

I had to explain to my mom , can we get the blood work done on the same day as the bone scan, instead of the day after at the same address.

I've also seen younger people talk to older people like children it is annoying and disrespectful.

I would definitely continue with the memory care appointments.

But talk to your doctor that all these appointments make you feel like you have a part time job.

I was seeing the doctor Every 6 months then I suddenly I contracted Lafedemia. In long term care now 81..

Good question EffieB. Why are you seeing a doctor so often if you're in such good shape?
Is it not you that's making and keeping these appointments? Only you can make and keep these appointments unless you are actually unable to and someone else is making them for you. And if that's the case, then I guess I can understand why the doctors are giving you some memory tests.
If you don't need to be seeing your doctors so often, and it's you making these appointments, then just stop making them. It's really quite the easy solution.