How do I make my dad visit the doctor?

Question

My dad is 57 years old and our geneology that men in our line do not live past 70 years old (the last to die at 69 from liver cancer in 1988 (he drank...a lot)). He is very stubborn and refuses to go to the doctor's for a check up. How do I make him go? He is working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week and gets little sleep.

He says that checkups do not show anything wrong and blood tests rarely show any diseases, including cancer. Is this true?

Another detail I want to add, if it helps with your answer, my mom has been sick and in and out of the hospital for the last 2 years.

Answer 1

Here's what I did with my partner (who is probably as stubborn as your dad) and my dad (who IS as stubborn as your dad):

In each case, I told them we were going out to dinner, but I needed to stop and run a quick errand.  We stopped at the doctor's office, ostensibly for me to pick up something from the doctor, went in and I announced that they were there for their appointment -- and then I blocked the door so they couldn't leave.

Yes, they were P.O.d at me for doing that -- but I did take them to dinner afterwards.  

Answer 2

you can't really make your parents do anything. But what you can do is state your case and try to offer persuade them to go. There are probably reasons your dad hasn't went in for a check-up......(neither has mine by the way)...he'd have to take time off work, pay for the appointment, and it may seem to him more of a hassle than its worth.

I suggest telling him you're concerned about his health, you really love him and want to make sure he's healthy. One thing you could do to be pro-active would be to cook healthy foods, or try to get him to eat healthy foods.

check-ups do not necessarily show diseases but they do show indicators of risk for the disease...i.e. if you're considered obese, you'll have a high risk of diabetes or something like that, the tests will break it down more medically than I did.  I don't know that a test can show cancer, but again of he smokes or drinks he can cut back.

Maybe you make a deal w/ him...if he agrees to cut back on bad habits then you'll get off his back about the doctor.

I know how you feel my parents haven't been in for a check-up in at least 20 years. I go every year.

Answer 3

It's a shame that your dad either doesn't care enough about himself and his health. or he is just too afraid to go to the Dr.'s for a checkup. They can determine allot from a blood test and other screening tests that could be very beneficial to him, but the sad fact is that you cannot make him go...

Answer 4

More friend and members of  family should help you to convince your father. Tell to father that you plan to take him one exactly day to doctor,tell to father that you will arrange appoinment with doctor for concrete day. Tell him it is because you love him and worry so he should not refuse.

Answer 5

This is more of a question of psychology. First of all your dad is entitled to his opinion and he is his own man, not a child (though a check might be well)If you really want him to get a check up then you have guilt him into it. You can say that with your mother being sick that if he dies she might not make it as well ( because of grief) Or that if she dies sometime soon that he'll be all that you have (as a parent). Im sorry if im offending you but this is all the advice i can you. I hope it works out for the best.

Answer 6

ASK YOUR DAD IF HE LOVES YOU   WHEN HE SAYS YES TELL HIM  THEN YOU WILL GO TO THE DOCTOR FOR US.   DURING A REGULAR CHECKUP IT WAS FOUND THAT I HAD LOST BLOOD TO MY TESTICLES AND THEY HAD TO BE REMOVED   IF IT HAD NOT BEEN DONE I COULD OF GOTTEN REAL SICK.   TELL HIM TO DO IF FOR THE FAMILY AND FOR  HIS GRANDCHILDREN.  WITH YOUR MOTHER SICK HE MAY BE AFRAID THEY WILL FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM    GOOD LUCK  

Answer 7

u can't.