Help a family member prepare for an appointment

Best first step: Ask the patient how they want you to help. Some people want help making a list, some want someone to attend, and some only want support with transportation or reminders.

• Ask the patient what kind of help they want before getting involved.
• You can help organize questions, medications, symptoms, paperwork, transportation, and follow-up needs.
• Staff may need patient permission before discussing private appointment details with you.
• Being family, a friend, caregiver, visitor, or emergency contact does not automatically allow access.
• Support people can usually share concerns with the care team, even if staff cannot share information back.
• If the appointment concern involves immediate safety or severe symptoms, use urgent or emergency support instead of waiting.

• Ask whether they want help preparing questions.
• Ask whether they want you to attend the appointment or wait nearby.
• Ask what topics are private.
• Ask whether they want help taking notes.
• Ask whether they want you to speak during the appointment or only listen.
• Ask whether they want staff to be allowed to discuss care with you.
• Ask whether they want to add you as a caregiver, support person, proxy, or authorized representative.

Prep area	How you can help
Questions	Help the patient make a short list of the most important questions.
Symptoms	Help write down symptoms, changes, dates, triggers, sleep changes, side effects, or safety concerns.
Medications	Help gather the medication list, pharmacy details, bottles, refill concerns, and side-effect notes.
Logistics	Confirm appointment time, location, parking, check-in, telehealth link, transportation, and accessibility needs.
Support preferences	Confirm whether the patient wants you involved before, during, or after the appointment.

• What is the main thing you want help with at this appointment?
• What has changed since the last visit or hospital stay?
• Are there symptoms you are worried you may forget to mention?
• Are medications helping, causing side effects, or hard to take?
• Do you need refills, forms, records, or follow-up appointments?
• Do you want to talk about safety planning or warning signs?
• Do you want me to take notes or help remember next steps?
• Are there topics you want to keep private?

• Photo ID and insurance information, if needed.
• Medication list, pill bottles, or pharmacy labels.
• Recent discharge instructions, after-visit summary, or safety plan.
• Questions and notes the patient wants to discuss.
• Symptom timeline, sleep changes, side effects, or mood changes.
• Forms, school or work documents, or records requests.
• Contact information for pharmacy, providers, caregivers, or support people.
• Mobility, interpreter, sensory, or communication support needs.

• Let the patient speak first when possible.
• Ask permission before sharing sensitive details.
• Take notes if the patient asked you to.
• Help ask about next steps, medication instructions, follow-up timing, or warning signs.
• Ask the provider to repeat instructions in plain language if needed.
• Do not pressure the patient to discuss topics they said were private unless safety is at risk.
• Ask how staff can document the patient’s preferred support-person permissions.

Important: Being a family member, friend, caregiver, visitor, or emergency contact does not automatically allow staff to share care information, records, medication details, or behavioral health information.

• Ask whether the patient has authorized you to receive information.
• Ask whether a release, proxy setting, or caregiver access is needed.
• Ask whether you can attend the whole visit or only part of it.
• Ask what information can be shared with you.
• Understand that some sensitive information may remain limited.
• Remember that you can usually share concerns even if staff cannot share details back.

• Ask whether the patient wants you to attend the appointment.
• Ask whether the visit includes medication review or safety planning.
• Ask whether the patient wants help tracking symptoms or side effects.
• Ask whether there are discharge instructions or follow-up notes to bring.
• Ask whether the patient wants help discussing warning signs or support needs.
• Understand that Brookhaven may limit some notes, crisis details, safety-plan information, or medication details.

• Review next steps if the patient wants help.
• Help schedule follow-up appointments or tests.
• Help pick up medications or check pharmacy instructions.
• Help organize paperwork, forms, school notes, work notes, or records requests.
• Help write down symptoms or side effects to report later.
• Ask whether they want reminders or prefer to manage privately.
• Use urgent support if symptoms worsen or safety changes.

• Help the patient make a question list.
• Help with transportation, parking, or telehealth setup.
• Help the patient gather medication bottles or paperwork.
• Help them write down symptoms or concerns they want to discuss.
• Ask whether they want to add you as a caregiver or authorized person.
• Share safety concerns with staff if needed, even if staff cannot share information back.
• Respect the patient’s choice if they want part of the appointment private.

Do not wait for a scheduled appointment, portal reply, access update, or routine callback if the patient may not be able to stay safe.

• The patient has thoughts of self-harm or harm to others.
• The patient has a plan, intent, or access to means for self-harm or harm to others.
• The patient says they cannot stay safe or asks not to be left alone.
• The patient is missing, has left unexpectedly, or cannot be contacted after expressing safety concerns.
• There is severe confusion, hallucinations, paranoia, agitation, or unsafe behavior.
• There is a suspected overdose, severe medication reaction, withdrawal concern, or medical emergency.
• Symptoms are escalating faster than the current plan can manage.

Use crisis or emergency support right away. If there is immediate danger, use emergency services.