Preparing for a doctor appointment: a family caregiver checklist

Before the visit

• Print or open the current medication list, including supplements and as-needed medicines
• Write down the three most important questions, hardest one first
• Note what has changed since the last visit, with rough dates
• Confirm the time, address, entrance and whether anything needs to be fasted or brought
• Agree who is going, who is driving and who will take notes

During the visit

• Let your parent answer first; step in only to add facts
• Ask the clinician to repeat any instruction you will have to carry out at home
• Write down exact medicine names, strengths and instructions rather than summaries
• Ask what should prompt a call back before the next appointment

After the visit

Update the medication list the same day while it is fresh, share a short summary with the rest of the family, and put any follow-up appointment or test in the shared calendar immediately. If something was written down that you did not understand, call the practice and ask — that is a normal, expected request.

Keeping the visit summary, updated list and next appointment in one shared place means nobody has to reconstruct the story by text message a month later.