from the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
It makes sense. Two sets of ears and eyes are
better than one. This may be especially true
when family companions accompany older
adults to doctor’s offices. A study at Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
found companions of patients who received
help with daily living were more likely to
provide information directly to the doctor, ask
questions of the doctor and explain the
doctor’s instructions to the patient. Lead
author of the study, Jennifer Wolff, says family
companions also help provide a continuity of
care. She says efforts to improve quality of
care to older adults with chronic illnesses have
focused on the patient and doctor relationship
and may have ignored the fact that a family
companion is often involved. The study
appears in the Journal of the American
Geriatrics Society.