Screening for Preventive Tests

The people you support have the same health problems, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer, as everyone else. However, they are less likely to get preventive tests for these health problems. You can help change this.

Preventive health care is critical to helping people live longer, healthier lives. Preventive health care starts with an annual checkup. The annual checkup gives the doctor the opportunity to find problems before they start. Even if a person feels fine, they should still see a doctor at least once a year. People often think they only need to see a doctor if they are sick or have been injured. It is just as important to visit the doctor when they are well.

 

At the annual checkup the doctor will:

• Review the person’s overall health,
• Ask what questions or concerns the person has,
• Ask about eating, exercise and smoking habits, and
• Recommend preventive screening tests and vaccinations.

Finding a Doctor: Make sure the person you support has a doctor they know and trust. If the person you support needs a new doctor, help them find one. Go to https://ddssafety.net/health/doctor-visits/finding-doctor for helpful tips on finding a new doctor.

 

Before the Checkup

1.  Develop a written list of questions and concerns for the doctor. Use this list for help!

Talk with the person and their team to learn about any health concerns. Spend time and ask lots of questions.

Look for changes in a person’s behavior. For example, when a person stays in their room most of the time, stops eating, or seems tired or irritable all the time. These changes may be a sign of a health problem.

The annual checkup is a chance to get everyone’s questions asked and answered. Go over the list of questions and concerns with the person you support and their team to make sure you have ALL the questions. For example, if the person is worried about the possibility of skin cancer, ASK about it.

 

2.  Develop a written list of medications for the person. Use this tool as a guide!

Use the complete Health Screenings Recommended by Age and Sex chart when discussing preventive tests that may be needed with the person you support: ddssafety.net/health/preventive-health/preventive-health-screenings-you-need. Take it to the annual checkup and review it with the doctor.

 

4. Talk to the person you support about asking the doctor what vaccines (shots) may be needed.

Different shots protect people from different diseases. For up to date information on recommended vaccinations, go to http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/.

 

5. Talk About What to Expect at the Annual Checkup.

Explain to the person you support what will happen during the visit:

Receptionist

First, a receptionist will greet the person. She or he may ask them to answer some health questions.

Nurse

Next, a nurse will:

• Take their blood pressure - to test for high blood pressure.
• Get their height and weight - to check for being overweight or for obesity.
• The nurse will take the person to the doctor’s examining room.

Doctor

The doctor will review the information about the person and do a physical exam. The physical exam is to check for signs of a health problem.

The doctor will ask about any concerns. This is the time for the individual to get questions answered. Make sure the person is OK asking all the questions. You may want to practice together ahead of time.

 

6. Ask the person what support they will need at the checkup.

Some individuals will want you to go with them. They may want help asking questions and taking notes. Others may want to go to the checkup on their own. In either situation, be sure the person is prepared.

 

At the Checkup

Give the doctor copies of the person’s lists of:

1. questions and concerns, and
2. medications.

Asking About Preventive Tests

If the doctor recommends a preventive test, make sure the person gets answers to these questions:

* What is the test for?

* What can I do to prepare? When and where will I get the test? Do I need to have someone go with me?

* What happens during the test? Will it be painful? Is there anything else I should know about the test?

* Can I eat before the test? Should I take my medications?

* When and from whom will I get my results?

Ask the doctor where to get more information. Again, take notes and get written instructions for scheduling the preventive test.

After the Checkup

Share your notes from the checkup with the person you support. Go over the doctor’s answers to the questions on the person’s list.

If the doctor recommends a preventive test, help the person to schedule the test. Some people may be afraid to take a particular test. You can support the person by providing information to help the person:

• Understand more about why the test is important to them.
• Feel more comfortable.
• Know what to expect.

Talk about what assistance they will need or want during their appointment. A companion may provide needed support.

A mammogram is a typical test that a doctor would order to screen for breast cancer. Click here for easy to understand information to share with the person you support.

There are many on-line resources that provide helpful information about other preventive tests. Some are listed under Where To Go To Learn More at the end of this article, but there are many more.

Make sure test results are explained to the person in a way they understand. You may need help from a doctor or a nurse.

Make plans to follow-up on the doctor’s recommendations. They may include getting more exercise, eating a healthier diet, and to stop smoking. For more information on eating right, being active and how to stop smoking, go to ddssafety.net

Remember to put the annual checkup on the calendar for next year! Preventive health care is critical to helping people live longer, healthier lives.

Where to Go to Learn More:

• Preventive Health Care: For more information on Preventive Health Care go to: http://www.dds.ca.gov/DSPT/Trainer/TrainerYear2_4.pdf.
• Get Screened:  http://www.healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-%20visits/screening-tests/get-screened.
• Get Important Shots:  http://www.healthfinder.gov/HealthTopics/Category/doctor-%20visits/shotsvaccines/get-important-shots.
• SPOT Skin Cancer quiz: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer…and one of the most preventable. Go to http://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=NjgyMDczJO7R to learn more.
• Tips for Mammography Staff: How to Serve Women with Disabilities More Effectively: http://www.aahd.us/2009/03/tips-for-mammography-staff-how-to-serve-women-with-disabilities-more-effectively/.