Your parents deserve to receive the best possible care as they get older. With that in mind, you can help them stay on top of treating any health problems they have, simply by showing an interest and asking the right questions. Besides making sure your parents are getting regular check-ups by their primary care physician, find out how often they should see specialists for specific screening tests (for various forms of cancer, bone or hearing loss, for example) and exams (of the eyes, teeth, feet, and so on).

If your parents are being treated for a particular medical condition, it may be wise to follow up with their doctor—with their permission, of course—to find out how well the condition is being effectively treated or managed. This can help you decide how well the current treatment regimen is working, or whether new medications or lifestyle changes may be warranted. In the meantime, try to tune into any subtle changes your parents may be experiencing, such as unintentional weight loss, unusual fatigue, mood swings, changes in alertness or memory function, coordination problems, or uncharacteristic behavior—and report these to the physician. Ask your parents how they’re feeling, whether they’re able to take their medication as directed or if it’s causing them problems; compliance can be a big challenge with older adults, so it’s smart to find out why a parent isn’t taking a prescribed drug or sticking with a heart-healthy diet or physical rehabilitation program as their doctor ordered.

To help your parents get top-notch care, ask them what stumbling blocks they’re running into or what questions they have for the doctor to help them make healthier choices. Then, relay this information or any questions about their care or condition to the doctor. Sometimes, older patients are reluctant to ask questions because they don’t want to bother a doctor; if you can’t accompany your parent on the visit, encourage your parent to bring a list of questions on paper and to take notes or record the conversation.

It’s also helpful if you make sure each doctor knows about other physicians your parents are seeing: Many older people see more than one doctor for different conditions and the medical records at each office don’t always contain all the information (about illnesses, hospitalizations, medications, and test results) that each doctor should be aware of. You can fill in some of these gaps. By serving as an advocate for your parents, you can help them receive the medical information, care, and services they need most for this phase of their lives.