Q: What information should I bring with me to the doctor visit?

A: Bring insurance cards, names and phone numbers of your other doctors, and the phone number of the pharmacy you use. Also, bring your medical records if your doctor does not have them.

Q: What should I include in my visit plan that I prepare before going to the doctor?

A: Creating a plan before you go to the doctor can help you make the most of your visit. You should include in this visit plan a complete list of your symptoms, medications, habits, any assistive devices you may use, and life changes.

Q: Why is it important to communicate well with my doctor?

A:As you get older, it becomes even more important to talk often and comfortably with your doctor. One reason is you may have more health problems and treatments to discuss. It's also because your health can have a big impact on other parts of your life, and that needs to be talked about too.

Q: What should I include when I describe a symptom to my doctor?

A: Your description should include what the symptom is, when it started, when it occurs, how long it lasts, how often you have it, and anything that makes it worse or better. Try to be as specific as possible.