Share Your Bucket List

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If there are things that you are hoping to do before you pass away, let your doctor know so that the doctor can better develop your treatments.

An unfortunate reality of modern medical care is that doctors do not always have the time or inclination to get to know their elderly patients very well on a personal level. Doctors can read charts and make medical findings, but they do not always know the desires and goals of their patients. When coming up with treatment plans and schedules, doctors do not normally take into account what the patient might want besides medical care.

Most elderly people do want other things.

Almost everyone has a list of things they would like to do before they pass away. That list might not be written down and it might be just a few vague ideas. This list can be important to people as The New York Times reports in "Talk to Your Doctor About Your Bucket List."{: target="_blank"}

Whether your bucket list is small and vague or large and very specific, it is a good idea to let your doctor know what is on it. If you do, your doctor will know you better personally. The doctor might be able to devise a treatment plan around making sure you get to do a few things on your list before you pass away.

Elderly people do not concern themselves solely with their health care treatments. They can also accomplish other things they would like to do before they pass away. Their doctors can also help them with that.

Reference: New York Times (Feb. 8, 2018)"Talk to Your Doctor About Your Bucket List."{: target="_blank"}