It really is incumbent on the patient to initiate control and that can be a challenge to older people who erroneously believe that their doctor is their friend and is working on their behalf to keep them healthy or make them well.
As you get older...health is EVERYTHING...who wants to be in a persistent vegetative state hooked up to who knows what, taking a multitude of God only knows what...it can look very bleak...often people just don't invest in the most important things. I have spent more out of pocket because I choose alternative services over traditional medical services...but that just gives me choice and control, which works for me..
Your comment about the doctor being seen as a friend is very true, but I believe that is in part due to social psychological reasons; a,lot older people are lonely and for better or worse, the doctor is seen as someone who "cares". I don't want to paint a broad brush about doctors and their patients, but the relationship becomes a little backwards sometimes.
Sad to say that generation of older folks grew up trusting western medicine. With some exceptions of course; like my mom, it was a good example for me to not think prescription drugs were par for the course.
Take care of the most important. I didn't purchase insurance for long time (health insurance) until Obama forced it on us. I can get it from the work but didn't need it. I also took dental.
Reason, I know enough to get by. If I don't, I pay cash to the doctors (holistic doctors) and then take charge.
You should have heard what some of the doctors talked to the patients. I am so glad you are in charge of your healthcare.
It really is incumbent on the patient to initiate control and that can be a challenge to older people who erroneously believe that their doctor is their friend and is working on their behalf to keep them healthy or make them well.
As you get older...health is EVERYTHING...who wants to be in a persistent vegetative state hooked up to who knows what, taking a multitude of God only knows what...it can look very bleak...often people just don't invest in the most important things. I have spent more out of pocket because I choose alternative services over traditional medical services...but that just gives me choice and control, which works for me..
Your comment about the doctor being seen as a friend is very true, but I believe that is in part due to social psychological reasons; a,lot older people are lonely and for better or worse, the doctor is seen as someone who "cares". I don't want to paint a broad brush about doctors and their patients, but the relationship becomes a little backwards sometimes.
Sad to say that generation of older folks grew up trusting western medicine. With some exceptions of course; like my mom, it was a good example for me to not think prescription drugs were par for the course.
Amen to that fact.
Take care of the most important. I didn't purchase insurance for long time (health insurance) until Obama forced it on us. I can get it from the work but didn't need it. I also took dental.
Reason, I know enough to get by. If I don't, I pay cash to the doctors (holistic doctors) and then take charge.