If you’re suffering from some mobility issues, be it from your age or due to some kind of illness or injury, there’s a good chance that you’re going to have to go to your fair share of doctor’s appointments. But while you might really need the care and guidance that your doctor can give you, actually getting to those appointments can be a real headache. Luckily, there are things that you or those caring for you at your assisted living facility can do to help make this process go a bit smoother.

To help you learn how this can be done, here are three tips for going to doctor appointments when you have mobility issues. 

Ask About Accessibility When Making Appointments

As you’re making the appointments to go and see your doctors, one of the best things that you can do is ask about accessibility. While buildings, especially medical buildings, will have accessibility for wheelchairs and the like, you may also want to ask about things like how to get from a parking lot to the building, how large the exam rooms are, and if there are staff or mobility aids available there for people to use. 

Sometimes, there might be assistance that you can get only by asking about it beforehand or bringing it to the attention of the facility ahead of your arrival. So to make sure that you have what you need when you get to the appointment, make sure you state your needs clearly when making your appointments. 

Build Extra Time Into Your Schedule

While it’s always smart to give yourself a few extra minutes when you need to be at an appointment by a certain time, if you’re having issues with mobility, you’re going to want to build even more time in your routine to ensure that you get where you need to go when you need to be there. 

Not only can moving take you more time, but you may also get more tired trying to get yourself to the appointment and need to take a rest. So if you know what getting around is going to be taxing, make sure you plan ahead for how much time you’ll really need to complete these tasks. 

Consider Using Paratransit

Sometimes, figuring out how to get yourself to an appointment is just going to be too much for you with your mobility issues. But luckily, public transit agencies have to provide complementary paratransit services if you can’t use the regular public transportation in your city. This can help you get a more accessible ride to your appointment at the time when you need it. 

If this is something that might prove beneficial to you, look into what’s available in your area. 

If you’re worried about how to get to your doctor appointments due to your mobility issues, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you overcome this obstacle.