One reason why many seniors work with home health services providers is to ensure their medical needs and concerns are addressed promptly and professionally. However, it can be difficult to divulge sensitive or potentially embarrassing information, even to trusted health care specialists with whom you’ve established friendly and honest relationships. The following guide discusses why you should try to address your concerns openly and how you can make it easier to do so.

Why It's Important to Be Honest About Your Medical Needs

If a health care provider doesn't know about your medical needs, they won't be able to provide the proper care. Concerns such as sexual dysfunction, incontinence, gassiness, bloating, and body odors can be difficult to talk about, as it’s common to worry about being judged for having these issues.

For example, if you need adult diapers to manage incontinence, you may feel uncomfortable requesting them, but your own health and comfort will be impacted unless you talk to a discreet health care worker. In extreme cases, unaddressed health concerns can become severe enough to require emergency treatment, whereas discussing them as soon as possible will limit the risk of further complications.

How to Discuss Sensitive Medical Needs

It’s important to remember that home health services providers are trained to discuss a wide range of medical issues with sensitivity and consideration for your privacy. Keep this in mind and work with your visiting or live-in care worker to establish a trusting relationship.

Build on that relationship by adopting new habits or practices to break the ice surrounding any health care concerns. For example, if you have difficulty discussing subjects such as digestive health, try writing your concerns down in as much detail as possible and sharing these notes with a health care worker. Alternatively, if you feel comfortable enough, you can speak frankly about your concerns using direct language.

Your care provider may not be able to offer immediate help, but they can share the information with a doctor or other specialist. Having as much detail as possible will allow your support network to diagnose any conditions you may have developed and recommend effective remedies or management techniques to help you maintain your health, comfort, and confidence.

The home health services specialists at A Mother's Touch In-Home Health Care understand how difficult it can be to speak about sensitive medical issues. Their trusted employees treat their clients with the respect and dignity they’d give to their own family members. Located in Florissant, MO, and serving residents throughout the St. Louis and St. Charles areas, they work with a wide range of insurance providers for your convenience. Call (314) 733-5100 to discuss your needs, or visit them online for more information.