Why Age Should Not Affect the Way Your Doctor Treats You

Your age and age appropriate, medical treatment

You are a unique individual and as an individual, you need the kind of medical care from your doctor that is appropriate for you, as a patient. It should be age appropriate treatment. In other words, the health care needs of an elderly senior may be different than those of a baby boomer. The needs of a baby boomer may differ from those of young parents. Of course, the needs of young parents differ from those of teens, children and infants.

Every patient is unique, with regard to his or her specific health care needs.

Your age should not affect how your doctor treats you. Your doctor should always treat you as a unique individual patient and give you age appropriate treatment.

You may be a person who goes to your doctor for preventative health care or perhaps you only visit your doctor with regard to specific medical problems or issues of concern. That should not make any difference.

Perhaps one of your friends is the same age you are. He or she goes to his or her doctor, with the same kind of problem you have. What if one of you is treated differently than the other? Is this an age related issue? Not necessarily.

Your health care and the various kinds of medical treatments that you receive are age related, at least to some extent, but age is not the only factor that must be taken into consideration, when you are being treated by your doctor. There are many other factors like your current health status, previous medical history and family history.

Your doctor knows you, as well as your medical history and is familiar with your basic and ongoing health care needs. Any time you feel that you are not receiving the health care that you need, the onus is on you and your family to discuss this with your doctor. He or she may suggest a referral to another physician.

At times, it may be advisable to discuss some of your specific health care needs with his or her nurse practitioner or registered nurse, prior to seeing your doctor. Sometimes, there are things that may be overlooked when your doctor is busy. These can be age related issues or concerns. The nurse practitioner or nurse will bring them to your doctor's attention.

There are some specific health care needs that all patients have in common, regardless of the difference in their ages. There are other health care needs that are distinctly age related or age specific.

When you go to your doctor make certain that your date of birth is correct, on your medical record.

This is important, as you may be a person who appears to be much younger or older than you are. If you have had the same doctor for a long time, he or she will be aware of your approximate age, unless there are a lot of patients in his or her practice. It is not always possible for a doctor to remember every patient's age.

When you are seeing a new doctor for the first time, he or she may not pay a attention to your actual age or birth date, but you can tell him or her how old you are, if this appears to be an issue of concern with regard to your proposed treatment.

For example, many seniors and baby boomers do not look their age. Some appear to be much younger than they are; others appear older. The same is true with mothers and women in menopause. They may be mistaken as either younger or older than they are. This can happen with teenagers, too.

Having a regular, annual health examination, will help your doctor to get to know you personally and to determine your current health care needs as a patient. He or she will make certain that the treatment that you receive is age appropriate. Discuss any specific, age related health care concerns with your doctor.

Your doctor will give you medical advice that will help you to maintain your youth. This may include age appropriate directives regarding issues like your diet, weight, exercise and sleep. He or she will check your immunization records and make certain that you receive any shots deemed necessary to maintain your health.

You may require a referral to a specialist for something that is age related. Your doctor will make certain that you have the medications that you need and ensure that any necessary laboratory tests you require are ordered.

Be aware that what appears to be appropriate treatment for your friend, may not necessarily be appropriate treatment for you. It may not be the treatment that you need as a unique individual.

Doctors have many options to choose from when treating their patients. The decision about how you are treated by your doctor is up to him or her. You can always discuss or question any treatment option that he or she chooses for you. More than likely, he or she will re-assure you that the treatment he or she decided upon for you, is the one that is appropriate for you, as a unique individual.

Maintaining your health is as much responsibility, as your doctor's. It is important to let him or her know, if you have specific age related concerns. Perhaps you are overly concerned about your age and feel because of your age, you are not going to receive the kind of care that you need.

Be aware that it is always in your doctor's best interest to treat you as a unique individual and to give you the best possible, age appropriate patient care in order to keep you healthy and strong. It is always in your best interest to maintain your optimum health too, regardless of your age.