If your loved one keeps delaying or avoiding needed medical attention, an obstacle may be that the task never makes it to the top of the daily to-do list. Let’s say your loved agrees with you that a recommended medical visit or test is important for staying (or getting) healthy. Yet you keep hearing, “I’ll do it tomorrow.” Day after day, week after week, your loved one kicks the can down the road because other tasks either have deadlines or take priority. What can you do? One approach is to…
Validate challenges
I agree with you that the tasks on your to-do list are very important.
I know the challenge of squeezing in appointments when already pressed for time by immediate responsibilities and deadlines.
State facts
Your daily tasks may feel higher priority because they have deadlines and/or involve other people (bosses/coworkers/family)—even though you know and believe those tasks are less important than your health.
A high-priority task without a strict deadline is still high-priority, especially if delaying beyond doctor-approved recommendations may mean a worse health outcome.
If you end up sick, you may be unable to do ANY of the things on your to-do list.
Your doctors (and I) depend on you doing your part to achieve the best outcome.
Encourage proper action
Putting your health-related tasks at the TOP of your to-do list is a way to take ownership of your health.
Imagine for a moment the regret you’ll feel if you end up with problems you could have avoided.
Assign a firm deadline, and treat it as firm even though your doctors said there is some flexibility.
Let’s plan a fun reward for getting it done on time.
We welcome your comments! SEE COMMENTS UNDER COMMENT BOX (below)
Subscribe here for e-notifications of new posts. Privacy Policy: We collect only your name and email address—and we do not share with anyone. You may unsubscribe easily at any time. For archives of older posts, click here