To become an adult young man can be difficult. Let’s face it, there are many changes at this time of life. Moving to adult health care world is just one of the many changes that adolescents must manage.
The shift from children to adult medical service providers can be overwhelming if you are not ready. Whether your child has one primary care doctor or many specialists who provide treatment, moving to a new care team is a process. Preparing is the key to success.
Empowering teenagers
When your child becomes an adult, they will need to start working to move from health care to adults. We believe it is important to start talking to your child about the movement of care early at the age of 12, with repeated conversations as continued to grow.
For most adolescents, the goal must be to help prepare them to make health care decisions studied for themselves as they get older. Early conversations and preparation are essential to ensure that your child continues to receive care without running at road barriers along the road.
Learn the details
Support decision -making
It is important to understand that when the child reaches 18 years old, their decision maker becomes. They are responsible for making all decisions related to physical and mental care, and financial needs. Most teenagers will find that it is useful to identify a close friend or a family member who can go to him regarding healthcare concerns. This form of AS assistance is indicated Support decision -making.
Types of official support
If a teenager needs help in these decisions, they are signed Information launch All that is required may be. Other teenagers may require great help in making health decisions and financial women; This may require creation a Power of attorney (Poa) To make decisions for health care, or Guardianship. Guardianship must be considered a last resort, because guardianship restricts the young man’s ability to make their own decisions.
Although “graduation” ultimately is our main goal, implementing the matter becomes complicated for many reasons. Some patients have complex cases, while others do not. Some will need help in their health care management as adults, while others will not do it. Parents and guardians are a great balance in the patient’s life and they can help move in these challenges.
Can your teenager answer these questions?
To help a successful transition to adult medical care, the following is a list of questions that all teenagers should be, regardless of their medical condition, are able to answer. This is not a complete list in any way, but knowing the answers to these questions can start conversation with your teenager to prepare them for the final change:
- What are your medical cases? Do you have any sensitivity?
- Who are your doctors, and why do you see them, and do you know how to contact them and determine the appointments?
- Who should call in a medical emergency?
- Do you have any food or medical restrictions?
- What medications do you take, and are there any reactions that you should be aware of?
- Do you know how to fill a prescription?
- What should you do if you have a bad reaction to the medicine?
- Do you know the history of your family’s health?
Other points include talking to your teenage son:
- If they know how long their current doctor will continue to see them
- If they had thought about the place they would go to their medical care for adults as soon as they graduate from the children’s environment
- Health insurance and what are the benefits that are covered according to their plan
- If they know what to do if they no longer have health insurance
The responsibility for health care for building self -esteem, flexibility and self -defense. It is a big deal, but with the correct preparation, it will run smoothly. Our message to fathers and adolescents is to think about the future and prepare. Talk to each other and the current doctors and other health care providers on this topic now, so that when the time comes, there will be no surprises.
Editor Note: Erica Koe-Krompecher, LISW-S, LICDC-CS, OCPC, CCTSW contributed to this blog post. She is a social worker in the Department of Teenage Medicine and Adolescent Health in Cincinnati for Children.
(Tagstotranslate) The Department of Teen (T) Home (T) Teenager Health