Talking To Your Doctor About Falls:6 Tips for Helpful Conversations

More than one in four older adults falls each year, but only half tell their
doctor. It is important for your doctor to know about any health problems,
including concerns about balance and falls. Get the most out of your
conversations with these six tips.

1. Write a list of things you want to talk about. Before your appointment,
   create a list of health topics you want to talk about, including balance
   and falls. The outline will help you remember your conversation points
   and questions.
2. Ask for a falls risk assessment. If you have fallen, have trouble walking, or
   feel unsteady, talk to your doctor about having a falls risk assessment.
3. Talk about other specialists. Ask your doctor if you would benefit from
   seeing a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other specialists
   to help improve balance, strength, medication use, nutrition, vision, and
   hearing to reduce your risk of falls.
4. Be honest about your concerns. Tell your doctor if you have fallen and
   share as many details as possible. The more your doctor knows, the
   more they can help you.
5. Take notes—and ask for notes! Bring a notepad and pen to write
   down any important information your doctor shares with you. This
   helps to remind you of information shared during the appointment.
6. Ask your doctor questions. If there is anything you do not understand,
   ask your doctor again. Repeating information back to the doctor
   will help you remember and let the doctor know you understand
   the information.

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