Somethings as a support person you might want to do before the individual’s dentistry (teeth) appointment:

• Bring their relevant medical history.
• A list of medications they are currently taking.
• List of problems they have with their teeth, and if there are any problems try to remember how long the problem has been going for.
• If the individual has private health or NDIS funding, check if this visit is covered. If there will be an out-of-pocket cost arrange appropriate payment method.

Steps to prepare the individual or visiting the dentist and what to expect:

• When you arrive at the dentist clinic, you will let the people at the desk know that you have arrived for your appointment.
• You will be asked to sit in the waiting room and wait for the dentist.
• The dentist will come and get you when they are ready.
• The dentist will bring you to a room with a reclining chair and you can sit on it.
• The dentist will lie you back on the reclining chair, give you sunglasses to put on, these will protect your eyes from the bright light the doctor needs to look inside your mouth. The dentist will also put a small clothes protector under your neck to protect your clothes.
• Some people don’t like the noise the equipment at dentist office makes. You can wear headphones and listen to music or wear ear cancelling headphones.
• The dentist will then feel around your mouth and have a look inside using a small handheld mirror, like a straw. The dentist at this point will talk to his dental assistant, often calling out numbers and sayings. This is so the assistant can make notes about each of your teeth.
• The dentist will then do check-ups on your mouth.
• The dentist will ask you to open your mouth as wide as you can so the doctor can see all your teeth more easily.
• The dentist might also use his hands and special instruments to do the check-up in your mouth.
• The dentist might then use a tube to blow air onto your teeth. This can feel funny so if you need to take a second you can lift your hand at any time and the dentist will take a break.
• The dentist may put something in your mouth to take photos of your mouth and teeth.
• The dentist may also bring you to an x-ray.
• You will check out at the counter and book another appointment if you need to.
• Towards to end of your appointment, the dentist will let you know if you need any further appointments

Somethings you might want to do as a support person before the podiatry (foot) appointment:

• Make a list of symptoms and any questions you would like to ask the foot doctor.
• Make a list all the medications currently prescribed as well as any previous surgeries you had.
• Gather and bring any relevant medical records, like lab results, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from other doctors or hospitals.
• Check if you have private insurance and if podiatry is covered or if NDIS funding will cover the visit.
• Bring any walking aids and shoes if your problem is related to walking or exercise.
• Prepare your feet by washing, drying and maybe remove any pedicures you have on your nails so foot doctors can exam the feet properly.
• Have a list of allergies ready.
• Do not get pedicures or paint your toenails
• Don’t cut your toe nails, the podiatrist may need to cut and collect a sample of your person’s nails for testing.

Steps to prepare the individual for visiting the Podiatrist and what to expect at your visit:

• Before the appointment, it is a good idea to bring a referral letter if you have one, regular footwear, any x rays or ultrasounds taken previously, and any private health insurance cards.
• You may need to check in at the counter when you arrive at the clinic, to tell them that you have arrived.
• You may need to complete a new patient form to tell them about medical history; any injuries or surgeries, infections and disease to the feet and lower limbs if you haven’t already done so over the phone when booking for the appointment.
• You may also be required to provide details of the medications you are currently taking.
• After checking in, you might be told to sit and wait for a while, the doctor will call you when they are available.
• You will walk into a room and be asked to sit in a chair.
• The podiatrist may introduce himself and ask for your details for clarification.
• The podiatrist may ask about your history including current issues, medical history, any exercise, and activity that you participate in and footwear history.
• Some questions may include where and when does the situation occur?
• Is there something that you know of that is the cause of the problem?
• Is there anything that you know of that makes it better?
• The podiatrist will ask for you to take off your shoes and socks.
• The podiatrist will ask for permission to touch and look/ analyse/ examine your feet.
• The podiatrist will look for any signs of issues like fungus, warts, corns, bunions, and other similar foot problems.
• The podiatrist will look at your toenails for any signs of discolouration, brittleness, or ingrown nails.
• You may be asked to stand up and walk for the doctor so that they can evaluate you for any gait problems.
• The podiatrist may need to do more tests on your feet. If that happens, they may need to order imaging scans like and ultrasound, bone scans, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
• If the podiatrist suspects you have a foot infection, they may collect a sample and send it to a lab for testing.
• If your foot problem is worsened due to being overweight, the podiatrist may recommend you change your diet and increase exercise.
• The podiatrist may prescribe you medications to treat your foot problem, such as antifungal creams or powders.
• After the podiatrist has finished, you can ask them questions, and ask them how you should prepare for any tests the podiatrist may have ordered.
• Schedule/book another follow-up appointment if needed.

Somethings you might want to do as a support person before the individual’s optometry (eye) appointment:

• Make a list of symptoms and any questions you would like to ask the eye doctor on behalf of the individual.
• Make a list all the medications they are currently taking as well as any previous surgeries they had.
• Gather and bring any medical records, like lab results, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from other doctors or hospitals, especially those that relate to the eyes.
• Check if the individual has private insurance or NDIS funding and if optometry is covered. If not and the appointment is an out-of-pocket cost, arrange appropriate payment method.
• Remember to bring a doctor’s referral with you to the appointment if you have one.

Steps to prepare the individual for visiting the optometrist: what to expect:

• When you arrive at the optometry clinic, you will let the people at the desk know that you have arrived for your appointment.
• If this is your first time visiting the optometry clinic, the person at the desk will ask for your details so they can learn more about you and your eyes.
• The desk people may ask you to sit and wait.
• When a doctor is available, an eye doctor will come and call your name and lead you to a room.
• The eye doctor may ask you what the reason for the visit is.
• The eye doctor may ask you what symptoms you are experiencing, when the symptoms happen, any other health issues you’re having in addition to the vision problems, when they happen, and what makes them stop. You can tell the doctor any other information you think it is important to let the doctor know.
• you will be asked to read an eye chart, through one eye at a time by covering the other eye and repeat that again for the other eye.
• The doctor will check your reading vision and give you a card with a lot of numbers and in lots of different sizes.
• The doctor will ask you what the smallest number is you can read from left to right.
• The doctor will bring a machine over to you and ask you to look through the glass lens and stare at a specific letter in front of you.
• The doctor will adjust the glass lenses on the other side of the machine and ask you which lens you can see better through; they will do this for both of your person eyes.
• The doctor will bring a machine over to you and ask for you to put your chin on the head rest and look through the two holes.
• They will ask you to look in front and stare at the image.
• They will ask you if you can see clearly, and they might adjust the lenses if you can’t see clearly (blurry)
• The doctor may take a photo of your eyes, and the flash will be bright but quick.
• The doctor may also shine lights into your eyes which may be uncomfortable but try to stare straight ahead.
• They make ask you to look left and right, up, or down without moving your head, just your eyes.
• Once they can see the image clearly in both eyes, the doctor will put special glasses on you and ask if you can see clearly in them.
• The eye doctor will tell you the outcome and send the results to your doctor (GP) if you have a referral letter.
• Finally, if needed you can choose to purchase prescription glasses and there will be people to show you, their products.

Somethings as a support person you might want to do before the individuals ophthalmology (eye) appointment:

• Make a list of the individual’s symptoms and any question you would like to ask the eye doctor.
• Make a list all the medications they are currently taking as well as any previous surgeries they had.
• Gather and bring any medical records, like lab results, x-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) from other doctors or hospitals, especially those that have to do with your person’s eyes.
• Check if you have private insurance or NDIS and if optometry is covered. If it is an out of pocket cost, arrange appropriate method of payment.
• Have a list of allergies ready.
• Remember to bring a doctor’s referral with you to the appointment if you have one.

Steps to prepare the individual for a visit to the ophthalmologist and what to expect:

• When you arrive at the clinic, you will let the people at the desk know that you have arrived for your appointment.
• If this is your first time visiting the optometry clinic, the person at the desk will ask for your details so they can learn more about you and your eyes.
• The desk people may ask you to sit and wait.
• When a doctor is available, an eye doctor will come and call your name and lead you to a room.
• The eye doctor may ask you what the reason for the visit is.
• They will ask you to read an eye chart, through one eye at a time by covering the other eye and repeat that again for the other eye.
• The doctor will then examine the retina in the back of your eye using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope.
• The doctor might also ask to put eye drops to help widen your pupils and use a special light (slit lamp to look at your eyes (retina).
• Your doctor may put a bright yellow dye into your eyes and photograph your eyes (retina). This does not hurt but can cause you vision to be a little different for a few minutes.
• Glaucoma test – The doctor may put eye drops to numb the eye and then use a machine/ instrument/ device (tonometer) to measure your eyes (measure inner pressure of the eye).
• The eye doctor will tell you the outcome and send the results to your doctor (GP) if you have a referral letter.
• Findings of the appointment will also be sent to your GP.
• The eye doctor may show you out the door when they finish checking up your person’s eyes.

Somethings as a support worker you might want to do before the individuals endocrinology appointment:

• Organise their Medicare card or private health insurance card if they have one and enquire if the appointment will be covered if the appointment has an out-of-pocket cost and arrange appropriate payment method.
• Bring the referral letter if you have one.
• Bring any relevant ultrasound, x-ray, scans, blood test reports if necessary.
• Bring a list of medications the individual is on.
• Bring any relevant diabetic management materials, insulin pump, BGL monitor, BGL recording chart etc.
• Any relevant family medical history.

Steps to prepare the individual for visiting the endocrinologist and what to expect:

• When you arrive at the endocrinology clinic, you will let the people at the desk know that you have arrived for your appointment.
• You will be asked to sit in the waiting room and wait for the doctor to call your name.
• The doctor will come and get you when they are ready.
• The doctor will bring you to a room and point to a seat or bed for you to sit down.
• The doctor will start by asking you some questions like your symptoms, health habits, family history, medical conditions.
• The doctor will measure your blood pressure, height, and weight.
• If you are diabetic, they might also take your blood sugar levels.
• The doctor will perform a check-up by looking at your hands and feet.
• The doctor may also check your stomach and mouth.
• The doctor may do a physical check on your thyroid gland by feeling around your throat and neck.
• They may also do a check up on your heart, eyes, hair, and your blood pressure.

The doctor might also do a reflex test on you by tapping on the back of your ankle.

Somethings as a support person you might want to do before the individual’s blood and urine test:

• Encourage/facilitate the person to drink plenty of water.
• Check if the bloods require the individual to fast beforehand.
• Bring a list of medications the person is taking.
• Bring their Medicare card.
• Bring pathology from that was given by the GP stating which bloods they want tested. The pathologist cannot perform a blood test without this, so it is vital to bring.

Steps to prepare the individual and expect at your blood and urine test:

1. When you arrive for the blood and urine test, you will let the people at the desk know that you have arrived for your appointment.
2. You will be asked to sit in the waiting room and wait for the doctor/ pathologist.
3. The doctor will come and get you when they are ready.
4. The doctor will bring you to a room and show you a seat to sit down.
5. The doctor will make sure that your personal details are correct by asking you your name and date of birth.

Urine Test:

6. The doctor will give you a clear plastic cup.
7. You then take the cup to a private bathroom for to urinate into the plastic cup.
8. Ensure the lid is closed and you wash your hands.
9. Bring the cup to wherever the doctor instructed you too or ask the nurse or people at the counter if you are not sure.

Blood Tests

10. Some tests may require fasting. You will be told for the test whether you should fast beforehand or not.
11. You will need to sit down for the blood test.
12. A band will be placed around the arm where the blood to be taken.
13. A needle will be inserted into your vein and your blood will slowly be collected into a syringe/vial
14. Once the blood is taken, the needle will be taken away from your arm and they will put a bandage on you to stop you from bleeding.
15. They will let you know that your results will be available from your GP and when you can expect to have them back.

You can book an appointment with the doctor who ordered the tests to find out the results