Taking Charge of Your Health

Taking Charge of Your Health provides guidance in choosing and communicating with your doctor as well as advice on navigating the maze of options in Medicare, additional insurance plans, and prescription drug benefits. Drs. Burton and Hall offer their combined 90 years of geriatric medical experience to help older adults and their families. -- Dan Buettner, author of The Blue Zones: Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest

They urge older adults to ask questions, become informed, and obtain the care they deserve.Frustrated with doctors' visits that last less than fifteen minutes? Unclear about how to best choose a physician? Confused by our complicated health care system? Experienced geriatricians John R. Burton and William J. Hall can help you take charge of your own health and get the best care available. Drs. Burton and Hall have decades of experience helping seniors navigate this country's complex health care system. They distill that knowledge here, providing you with the information you need to skillfully communicate with your health care providers. This book addresses such questions as* Do I need a general physician, or a specialist, or both?* What does a geriatrician do?* How do I prepare for and get the most out of a visit to the doctor?* What screening exams should I undergo?* What is the best way to take my medications? As you grow older, it is more important than ever to maintain good health. To do so, you need to know how to best access the health care system and improve your personal health practices. In Taking Charge of Your Health, you will find practical advice from two senior geriatricians on how to do both. Drs. Burton and Hall emphasize that you are unlikely to receive good health care unless you work for it. They urge older adults to ask questions, become informed, and obtain the care they deserve.