About three years ago, after my mom stopped driving, I found a new GP who could see both of us – hoping to make scheduling simpler. Little did I know that first consultation would open up a whole can of medical worms.

Before, I would drop Mom off at appointments while I waited in the car or the lobby. She’d come out insisting everything was “fine”. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t. The new GP’s office asked for our health histories, so I helped mom with hers. That’s when I uncovered a laundry list of conditions she barely knew about. Aortic stenosis, kidney issues, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Not exactly “fine”, right?

Mom also mentioned that her cardiologist spoke so softly she could barely catch what he was saying. No wonder she wasn’t following up or asking questions. I realized I needed to be there with her at her appointments, to make sure we both understood what was going on. That’s how I became her medical advocate, helping her see the big picture and plan for the future. Let’s dive into that next!

Have you ever uncovered surprising health information about a loved one? How did it change the way you approached caregiving?