Convincing Loved Ones to Go to Your Local ER

What to Say + What to Do to Help our Loved Ones Feel More Comfortable With an ER Visit

There is always one in every family — the stubborn person who hates hospitals and visiting the local ER.

Whether your loved one had traumatic experience from a prior ER visit, is terrified of needles, or is opposed to modern medicine methods, there are several reasons why they might be opposed to getting the help they need.

Even if your loved one is usually healthy and has never had any health issues, the thought of an ER visit can be very scary and overwhelming. This can heavily deter your loved one from wanting to visit the local ER, even when something is wrong and emergency care is required.

Here is a helpful action plan for encouraging your loved ones to visit the ER to get the expert medical care they need:

Starting the Conversation About an ER Visit

If there is a health concern or something seems wrong and your loved one has not mentioned visiting a doctor, it is important that you promptly initiate the conversation.

When you’re worried about the health and safety of your loved one, it can be easy to have the tendency to be pushy or speak in a slightly unkind way. However, this can push your loved one even farther away from the result you hope for. Instead, aim to communicate your concerns in a calm manner and avoid using words that can be interpreted as demands.

Instead of saying, “You HAVE to go to the doctor, the swelling in your ankle is bad and needs to be treated by a doctor”, try, “I noticed the swelling in your leg is getting worse and I think we should go get it checked out.”

This language reminds your loved one that they won’t be going to the local ER alone, it’s something you’ll do together.

Most of the time, your loved ones have more care and concern for you or other family members than they do for themselves. So, when talking with them, try changing their perspective by inserting yourself into the situation. For example, you could say, “It would make me feel better if you saw a doctor,” or “I would be so much less stressed if you had a doctor check you out.”

The great thing about this approach is that you are using completely true statements that also give your loved one a more concrete view on the importance of a timely local ER visit. It is no longer simply about something being wrong with them, but something that is upsetting you.

Minimizing Concerns About an ER Visit

You should prepare for some potential push back from your loved one. It’s likely they feel grounded in their daily routine and the idea of an unplanned ER visit can feel very disruptive and upsetting. Many people refuse to go to the hospital ER due to a negative perception of the healthcare system and/or past negative interactions with healthcare workers.

If you sense your loved one is beginning to get worried or upset, there are many things you can do or say to minimize their concerns about a hospital ER visit.

Here are some reassuring statements you can use:

We will go together.
I will be with you the whole time.
I will call your primary doctor.
You will be taking a step towards feeling better.
You will be prioritizing your health.
You will increase the likelihood of enjoying [X activity] next week.

Here are some helpful actions you can take:

Pack an overnight bag with everything they may need in case there is an extended stay required.
Get all of their insurance information together.
Make a list of all of the medications they are taking, or take pictures if that is easier.
Notify their primary care provider.
If they have a pet, arrange a family member or neighbor to take care of it.
Research and offer information on the local ER.

Looking up information about the local ER you will be visiting is a great way to reassure your loved one that it is close, safe, and reputable.

For example, if you were to visit an ER Near Me location, it’s helpful to know that it is a state-of-the-art facility that offers personalized concierge care. This means unlike traditional emergency rooms, our staff focuses on the patient’s experience and provides individual attention and custom treatment plans. Your loved one will feel valued and taken care of to the highest extent. Many ERs have a “get in, get out” structure, but ER Near Me never rushes assessments and treatments. We even have extended care suites in case an overnight stay is required.

Check out our blog, 3 Medical Services You Didn’t Know ER Near Me Offered, to learn more about our observation suites.

Information like this can help your loved one feel more comfortable with an ER visit.

Explaining Why an ER Visit is Needed Over an Appointment With a Primary Care Doctor

For most adults, it’s very common to have the same primary care physician for many years and when something is wrong medical- or health-wise, that is who they would prefer to see when there is a concern.

However, in an emergency scenario, that isn’t always possible. You often need to book an appointment with a primary physician months in advance otherwise there’s no availability, and depending on the time and day, the office might be closed.

Plus, if the emergency is a serious injury or you are not sure exactly what the problem is, your loved one likely needs to visit a facility that offers vast testing and procedural capabilities. ER Near Me can offer your loved one immediate attention and treatment no matter what the emergency is.

Try to remind your loved one that a visit to their primary physician is best for preventative care, treatment of common illnesses, early detection of conditions, and referrals to medical specialists. In an emergency situation, there is no time to receive a referral.

That being said, emergency rooms like ER Near Me offer physician record sharing so we can access previous patient medical information and update primary doctors with new assessments and treatments.

Looking for more tips for preparing for a hospital ER visit? Check out our blog for a comprehensive breakdown: What to Bring to the ER and What to Expect.

Increasing Comfortability for an ER Visit

Above all, the most important thing is that your loved one receives the care and treatment they need, but if you can increase their comfortability, getting over to your local ER is a much smoother process. Check out this overnight bag checklist to ensure your loved one has everything they need in case an extended stay is required.