Medical appointments can be stressful, overwhelming, or confusing-especially when facing health concerns, remembering information, or making decisions. Our support workers accompany you to appointments, providing emotional support, helping you remember what the doctor says, advocating for your needs, and ensuring you understand the information you receive.
Having someone with you means better communication with healthcare providers, reduced anxiety, and ensuring important information isn’t missed or forgotten.
Why Appointment Accompaniment Matters
Have questions?
Your local team of Client Care Managers are available to answer your questions and work with you to design a customized plan of care that is right for you.
Our Accompaniment Services
Before the Appointment:
Coordinating transport to appointment, gathering relevant information (medication list, questions), organizing Medicare card and documents, discussing what to expect, providing emotional reassurance.
During Travel:
Accompanying you in transport, providing conversation and support, ensuring safe arrival, assisting with mobility at destination.
In the Waiting Room:
Checking in at reception, helping with forms if needed, providing companionship while waiting, staying alert to when you’re called, supporting you through any anxiety.
During the Appointment:
Being present in consultation room (with your permission), taking notes of doctor’s instructions, asking clarifying questions, helping you ask your prepared questions, ensuring you understand information, respectfully advocating if concerns dismissed.
After the Appointment:
Collecting prescriptions if needed, helping you understand instructions, ensuring you know follow-up requirements, discussing the appointment to process information, accompanying you home safely.
Follow-Up Support:
Helping implement doctor’s recommendations, reminding about medication changes, booking follow-up appointments, coordinating with care team about outcomes.
Appointments We Accompany You To
Helping You Communicate
What to Expect When We Accompany You
Preparation:
We’ll discuss the appointment purpose, gather needed information, coordinate transport, arrive with plenty of time.
At the Appointment:
We’ll stay with you throughout (unless you prefer privacy for any part), take notes discreetly, be respectfully supportive, ensure you’re comfortable.
After the Appointment:
We’ll discuss what was said, clarify any confusion, help you process information, ensure you understand next steps, get you home safely.
Documentation:
We’ll provide written notes of key information (with your permission), share information with care coordinator, communicate relevant information to family (if you consent).
Coordinating with Family
If family members usually accompany you:
We can supplement family support, step in when family unavailable, provide professional perspective, coordinate with family about outcomes, reduce burden on busy family members.
Communicating with Family:
With your permission, we can update family on appointment outcomes, explain medical instructions to family, coordinate family involvement in care decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Gratifying Care is proud to committed to offer the best possible answers to all your questions. We have compiled a list of few questions that have been repeatedly asked to us.
Will you be in the appointment room with me?
Only if you want us there. Some clients want us present throughout; others prefer privacy during examination. We’ll do whatever makes you most comfortable. We can wait outside and come in at the end for instructions.
Will you talk to the doctor for me?
We support you to communicate with your doctor-we help you ask your questions, ensure you’re understood, clarify what doctor says. We don’t speak for you unless you’re unable to communicate and have authorized us to do so.
What if the doctor says something I don't understand?
We’ll politely ask the doctor to explain in simpler terms, repeat the information after the appointment, write it down so you can read it later, help you contact the doctor’s office later if still unclear.
Can you help me remember medications and instructions?
Yes! We take careful notes during the appointment, write down medication changes clearly, ensure you understand when and how to take medications, coordinate with your care plan.
What if I need to go to emergency department?
If it’s urgent, call 000. We can accompany you to emergency department if you need support, stay with you through the process, help communicate your needs, coordinate with family. This would be arranged urgently.
Will the same person accompany me each time?
We aim for consistency so you have a familiar, trusted person. Occasionally it might be someone different due to scheduling, but we minimize changes where possible.
Can you accompany me to personal appointments like hearing tests?
Yes. Any health-related appointment where you’d like support-dental, optical, hearing, podiatry, etc. We accompany you to maintain your health and wellbeing.
What if I have mobility issues getting into the building?
We’ll assist with mobility-helping you walk, managing walker or wheelchair, navigating building access, taking lifts or ramps, ensuring you get to appointment safely.
Can family members come along too?
Absolutely! We can provide additional support alongside family, giving family members someone to discuss appointment with, providing professional perspective.
How much does accompaniment cost?
Depends on your funding source. Support at Home Program: Covered by government funding. Home Care Packages: Included in your package budget. NDIS: Covered if approved in your plan. DVA: Covered for eligible veterans. Private: Transparent hourly rate. Contact us to discuss costs for your specific situation.
Medical Disclaimer
The information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Our Disability Support Services are delivered by qualified Disability Support Workers / Community Support Workers / Support Workers / Community Workers. They work within their scope of practice and in coordination with your doctor and healthcare team. Always consult your GP or specialist about your specific health needs and treatment. Our services complement but do not replace medical care from your doctor.