My dad wants to continue living alone. But leaving the house has become a major effort, making it difficult for him to visit his physician. How can I help him manage his healthcare?
Denise Britton, NP, and Dayna Portnoy, NP
If your dad is having a harder time getting to the doctor’s office, you may want to talk with him about receiving primary healthcare in his own home. Making the equivalent of old-fashioned physician house calls, nurse practitioners can visit your dad regularly to prevent and manage illness … and keep him healthy.
Advanced training allows nurse practitioners to diagnose, manage and treat sudden as well as chronic illnesses. “At my first visit, I typically perform a comprehensive assessment,” said Denise Britton, NP. “So I would review your dad’s medical and social history, conduct a physical exam, and talk with him about ways he is maintaining his health.
"Based on the assessment, I would identify issues that need further assistance, prescribe medications, order diagnostic testing if necessary, and make recommendations for follow-up visits. The first and all subsequent visits would include a thorough check of his medications, the safety of his home environment and his overall functional status.”
“For example,” added Dayna Portnoy, NP, “Your dad’s lab results might show elevated blood cholesterol levels. So I would discuss lifestyle changes that could be helpful and consider prescribing a cholesterol-lowering medication, which we would then monitor to see how he responds.
“Or, let’s say that your dad’s mood or overall spirits seem to be less cheerful than usual. In this case, we could perform a psychosocial assessment, including specific tests to assess depression, anxiety and dementia. Depending on your dad’s needs, we could arrange for a visit by a social worker, who can provide support as well as discuss the emotional factors related to chronic illness.”
Nurse practitioners also will work to keep your dad’s primary physician informed and involved. They would send copies of clinical notes from each visit to his/her office and may call the physician to give informal updates about your dad’s condition.
“We will collaborate with any and all healthcare professionals involved in your dad’s care,” Portnoy stated. “The goal is to manage his health and keep him where he wants to be: home.”
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