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Getting the best out of GP and other health appointments

When someone is diagnosed with dementia or seeking a diagnosis, they are likely to have a number of appointments with their GP, memory clinic and other healthcare professionals. This guide, written by our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses, will help you get the most from healthcare appointments.

Before the appointment

Whether you are seeing a GP for the first time about possible dementia symptoms or have another health issue to discuss, preparing for appointments will ensure you get the most out of your time with the healthcare professional.

  • If there is a particular GP you would like to see you can request this, although it may mean waiting longer for an appointment
  • Write down the main things you want to discuss. If there are more than two or three things, you may wish to book a double appointment
  • Keep a record of any changes in symptoms or behaviour, including:
    • any concerns or worries you have
    • any new symptoms you have noticed: what they are, when they happen (dates/times)
    • any triggers you have noticed
    • any hearing, vision or balance problems
    • any other health issues
  • Make a list of any medications being taken, including prescribed medications, over-the-counter medications, vitamin supplements and natural remedies
  • It is a good idea for a family member or friend to go to the appointment with the person with dementia or suspected dementia; this may make them feel more comfortable, and the person accompanying them can share their own thoughts about the situation
  • If you need a chaperone, interpreter or British Sign Language (BSL) support, inform the surgery in advance

During the appointment

Whether you are seeing a GP or have a memory clinic appointment, these tips will help you get the best from the consultation.

  • Before the appointment, or at the start, consider informing the professional of any communication tips that would help the person with dementia, such as speaking in short, straightforward sentences; and avoiding open-ended questions like, “What do you think?”
  • If you have lasting power of attorney for the person, let the healthcare professional know
  • Make notes or ask someone to do this for you. You can record the conversation on your phone, but do tell the healthcare professional that you are doing this
  • Do not be afraid to ask the healthcare professional to explain anything you do not understand, or repeat anything you do not hear clearly
  • If the professional recommends any websites, support groups or other services, ask them to write down the details
  • Ask if you can receive a copy of any letters that will be sent to other health or social care professionals – this is your right
  • Before you leave, check that you have asked all the questions on your list and make sure you understand what will happen next, eg when the next appointment will be

Questions to ask

You might have your own list of questions to ask the doctor, memory clinic or other health professionals, but these can help to guide the conversation:

  • What type of dementia has been diagnosed?
  • What symptoms/changes in behaviour might occur?
  • What treatments, if any, are available?
  • Are there any local support groups:
    • for the person with dementia – generally, and/or specific to their type of dementia?
    • for their family/carers, including children with a parent who has young onset dementia (where symptoms develop before the age of 65)?
  • Who will the person have appointments with going forward?
  • Where will you see them, and how often?
  • Who will book these (ie will the clinic send a letter with appointment details, or do you need to phone and book appointments yourself)?
  • Are there any local services that offer support with practical, social, financial and legal matters? Our Helpline and clinics can also offer support with this

Remote consultations and video appointments

Increasingly, appointments with GPs, memory services and other health and social care professionals are taking place remotely, by phone or video call.

Benefits and things to consider

The benefits of phone appointments and video appointments include:

  • People who have difficulty travelling to appointments can attend from home
  • It can reduce stress for people with dementia who feel unsettled in unfamiliar places
  • People may feel more comfortable in their own home, giving the professional a clearer idea of their usual personality and behaviour
  • In some cases, waiting times for remote consultations may be shorter than for face-to-face appointments
  • Family members may be able to join the consultation even if they live in different areas
  • It is often possible to record the consultation and refer back to it later

However, you may need to consider that:

  • People who are unfamiliar with technology may find the process difficult or stressful
  • There may be technical difficulties, for example an unreliable internet connection
  • It can be harder for the professional to use the person’s body language to gauge how they are feeling or what they may be trying to say
  • Physical symptoms of dementia like tremors and changes in gait are hard to see and assess remotely
  • It can be harder to develop a rapport between the professional and the person with dementia
  • Remote consultations can be hard for people with hearing difficulties
  • Some memory assessment tools are unsuitable for remote use

Telephone appointments

When you book a telephone appointment, you should receive a text, email or letter giving you the date and time.

The doctor, health or social care professional will phone you for your consultation at the allocated time.

To get the best out of a telephone appointment:

  • Make sure you are in a place with a good phone signal
  • If you/the person with dementia wears hearing aids, make sure they are used
  • Put the phone on speaker so that you can take notes easily
  • Have pen and paper handy so you can take notes
  • If the professional wants to speak to the person with dementia, keep the phone on speaker so that you can all be on the call together
  • If you find it difficult to interrupt during a phone call, try simply saying, “Excuse me”, and if that doesn’t work, tapping on the phone mouthpiece to get them to pause
  • If you are finding it hard to hear, ask the professional to speak louder, slower or more clearly
  • Do not be afraid to ask the professional to repeat information

Video appointments

Video consultations can take place using a smartphone, tablet or computer. They often use a well-known platform like Zoom, Skype or Microsoft Teams, but sometimes different apps, like Attend Anywhere (the NHS’s own video consultation app), are used.

You should be told which platform is used and provided with a link to join the consultation. If you haven’t received a link by text or email the day before your appointment, contact the health or social care service.

These tips will help you get the best from a video consultation:

  • Choose a comfortable, well-lit, quiet and private space, with good WiFi or data signal
  • Check your equipment in advance: make sure the camera and the microphone work
  • If the person with dementia has not used video calling before, you could do a trial run with a family member or friend to familiarise them with the process
  • If you/the person with dementia have glasses or a hearing aid, make sure they are used
  • If you find it difficult to interrupt during a video call, you could consider raising your hand or using an ‘I want to speak’ card
  • If you are not using your phone for the appointment keep it close by – if there are problems with the video call, the professional may phone you
  • As part of a memory assessment, the person may be asked to do some drawings, which you can show the professional by holding them up to the camera
  • Your video consultation will be private and will not be recorded without your consent. If you would like to record the consultation, inform the health or social care professional
  • You may be able to invite other people who help support the person with dementia – such as family members – to join the video consultation remotely, by sharing the link with them, or in person in the same room as you

When to request a face-to-face appointment

Sometimes, a face-to-face appointment is preferable to a remote appointment, for example if:

  • The person has communication difficulties that can be better supported face-to-face
  • Physical examinations or tests are needed
  • The person or those supporting them are not confident using technology

If you are offered a remote appointment and would prefer to see a professional in person, you can request this from the secretary/practice manager although you may have to wait longer.

After the appointment

Write down what you discussed and what happens next

  • Make a note of anything you still don’t understand so you can look it up or ask at the next appointment
  • Book any further appointments or tests and write them in your diary

There is often a great deal of information to take in at healthcare appointments, and lots of different names, dates and places to remember.

Our practical guide to getting the most out of GP and other health appointments has space for you to record these important details. You can download a copy to fill in.

Consent to share information

If you are living with dementia, you may wish to give your GP or specialist permission to share information about your care with other people.

If you would like a family member or close friend to be kept informed, ensure the professional has their contact details. They can also register with the surgery as your ‘medical proxy’ or ‘trusted person’ which means they can speak to the GP on your behalf to discuss your treatment and support. There is more information in our guide to online GP services.

You can also consent to the GP or specialist sharing information with other health and social care professionals.

It is important to make a lasting power of attorney (LPA) for health and welfare, which enables a nominated person/people to make decisions about your care if you lose the mental capacity to make them yourself.

Sources of support

Our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses can advise you on getting the most from your healthcare appointments or any other aspect of dementia. Please call our free Helpline on 0800 888 6678 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm) or email helpline@dementiauk.org.

If you prefer, you can pre-book a phone or video appointment with an Admiral Nurse.

Get support

Dementia UK resources

Other resources