How seniors can ensure they’re getting the health care they deserve

Seniors are realizing the value of advocating for their health, instead of brushing off symptoms as standard with age. Too often, seniors don’t realize that because of vision, hearing or cognitive issues, they’re at the highest risk of adverse drug reactions, medication mix-ups and simply not having their health issues addressed.

Some find it difficult to articulate their health concerns to their family doctors or are afraid to question authority, says Paige Lennox, chief executive officer of Nelson, B.C.-based Canadian Health Advocates Inc. “This generation still puts physicians on a pedestal,” says Ms. Lennox, who started her medical concierge service in 2018 after working as a critical care nurse for 25 years.

She says some seniors also don’t know what medications they’re on or understand their side effects.

Some seniors also feel the time crunch of shorter medical appointments, says Samir Sinha, a geriatrician and director of Health Policy Research and co-chair of Toronto’s Ryerson University’s National Institute on Ageing. They may feel pressure to oversimplify their symptoms, which can result in leaving out important information.

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