5 questions to ask at an in-home health visit 

Home nurse talking to senior male on the couch

A home health visit lasts up to an hour — enough time to ask questions, and get answers, about your health. Here’s how to get ready.

There’s not always enough time at an annual wellness visit to get all your questions answered. There’s a reason for this. A typical doctor’s visit only lasts about 18 minutes. But an in-home health visit with a clinician lasts up to an hour. That’s a lot of valuable time with a health care provider to get answers to your pressing health questions.

An added benefit: These in-home health visits are conducted by a heath care provider right in the comfort of your own home. It’s a thorough assessment of your physical and mental health that touches on nutrition, the medications you take, your mood, and much more.

To take advantage of this valuable one-on-one time, you may want to prepare a list of questions in advance. Here are some ideas to get you started.

If you haven’t booked your no-cost visit yet, call 877-302-3672 or schedule online here.

1. Am I taking my medications correctly?

The in-home clinician will conduct a thorough review of all the medications you’re currently taking. They can also take a look at the supplements you take, if any, since supplements can sometimes interact with medications.

Be sure to have all your medications and supplements out before the clinician arrives. They’ll review your dosages and be able to discuss any potential side effects.

This is one advantage to having a health visit at home: There’s no need to bag up all these pills to take to the doctor’s office. You can review them all at your kitchen table. And there’s less of a chance of you forgetting something.

If you’re having concerns about your medications — or question whether you should still be taking them — be sure to write these questions down so you can discuss them with the health care provider. For example, if a particular medication makes you feel lethargic or dizzy, be sure to jot this down before your visit.

Some other medication details you may want to confirm at your in-home visit:

When’s the best time to take this medication?
Should I be taking this with food or on an empty stomach?
Should I be taking these medications at the same time?

You may also want to ask your clinician about options to lower your medication costs. They may be able to provide you with discount resources.

2. Could my moodiness be depression?

Everyone experiences changes in mood. But if your mood swings are becoming more frequent — or you’re experiencing them for longer periods of time — it may be something more serious. This is something you can talk about with the in-home clinician.

Studies have shown that older adults often experience depression and other mental health issues that may go unnoticed. During an in-home visit, you’ll have a chance to talk with the health care provider about how you’re feeling — and get recommendations on next steps.

Before the clinician gets to your home, however, be sure to consider how you’re feeling — and write those thoughts down.

Here are some things you may want to think about before your visit:

Have you been feeling extra tired?
Have you been uninterested in typical daily activities, such as getting dressed?
Have you had less interest in seeing friends and family?
Do you find yourself sleeping more during the day?

Loneliness can often mimic symptoms of depression. If you’re feeling lonely, be sure to talk with your clinician about this. They’ll be able to talk through what you’re feeling and offer resources to help.

3. Am I eating the right foods to help keep me healthy?

Knowing what to eat — and how much — for better health is something that’s confusing for many people. You’ll have a chance to discuss nutritional questions with the health care provider at your home visit. What’s even better: If you choose, the clinician can take a look at your pantry and refrigerator to offer simple healthy eating swaps or suggestions for better health.

Some things to think about: Getting enough of the right nutrients, such as protein and vitamin B, is a concern as people age. Dehydration is also common. These questions may help clarify what you need to be getting in your daily diet:

How much protein should I be eating with every meal — and every day?
What are good sources of vitamin B? Would taking a supplement help me get enough?
How much water should I drink every day? Do tea and soup, or fruits and vegetables, count toward my daily goal?
Do I always have to buy fresh fruits and vegetable? Can I buy frozen or canned items?

4. Are there any fall risks in my home?

Fall risk statistics for adults are nothing to ignore. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, millions of people ages 65 and older fall every year. Older adults are prone to falls for many reasons, including declining physical strength and balance as well as worsening eyesight.

Your home environment may be to blame too. It’s easy to miss fall hazards on our own. This is where an in-home clinician can help.

“It’s good to have a fresh pair of eyes at your home, to look for hidden hazards,” says Jennifer L. FitzPatrick, MSW. She’s the founder of Jenerations Health Education in Baltimore and a former gerontology instructor at Johns Hopkins University’s Certificate on Aging program.

Your in-home health care provider may be able to help you spot dangerous throw rugs or uneven stairs, for example, both of which could increase your risk of falling. Then your provider can discuss solutions with you to help keep you safe.

Something else to consider: Are you having any trouble getting to, and using, your bathroom? If so, jot this down and your in-home clinician can discuss assistive devices that may be able to help.

5. Are there any health screenings that I should have?

During your in-home visit, you may be eligible to receive some basic health screenings, such as heart rate and blood pressure checks. Depending on your health plan, you may also be able to get additional recommended health screenings.

These screening results may help you — and your primary care physician — spot any potential problems with your health midway through the year, so you can treat them early on.

The clinician may also perform simple blood or urine tests to check for chronic conditions such as diabetes or high cholesterol. You may also be able to get screenings for colon cancer and chronic kidney disease.

An in-home visit can help keep your physical and mental health on track. It can also give you — and your primary care provider — an idea of how you’re doing midyear. The best part, however, is the one-on-one attention you’ll get with the clinician, for up to an hour, in the privacy of your own home at no extra cost to you. That’s why having a list of questions handy can help you make the most out of your visit.

See our sources:
Measuring primary care exam length: Medical Care
Taking medications safely as you age: National Institutes on Aging
Depression is not a normal part of growing older: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Depression and older adults: National Institute on Aging
Dietary guidelines for Americans, 2020–2025: USDA
Facts about falls: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Falls and fractures in older adults: National Institute on Aging