Here are some suggestions to make getting to the doctor easier:

• Leave plenty of time to get to the appointment. You cannot hurry a person with Alzheimer's. Any pressure to hurry up usually results only in upset. Just try to keep the focus on getting ready to leave.
• Get yourself dressed and ready to leave before you start getting the person in your care ready. It may be hard for him to wait for you.
• If the person in your care generally resists going to the doctor, do not talk about the appointment before you get there. Instead, talk about something pleasant that you are going to do together, such as having lunch at a restaurant or visiting a friend.
• Try to bring a family member, friend, or home health aide along. Another person can help you reassure or distract the person in your care
• If the person in your care is in the moderate or moderately severe stage of AD, pack a bag with a change of clothes, incontinence products, and some activity to occupy him or her while you wait in the office. Just before you leave, add a snack and a drink to this bag.

NOTE
Be sure shots for tetanus, flu, and pneumonia are up-to-date. For those on Medicare, flu and pneumonia shots are covered.