Question about Dr. for my Mom

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 3:56 pm

After moving to Fl., my Mom will need new doctors. I am in the process already of searching for a Hematologist (sp?) and Rheumatologist, but I'm not quite sure what direction to go in for a GP (PCP - whatever).

I am thinking about trying to use a Geriatric specialist. I did notice one listing for that in the phone book down there?

Can anyone give me any advice about this?

Shirley

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:23 pm

Hi Shirley!

I'm wondering - could you go on line to the American Medical Association (AMA) and see the doctor's practicing in the area where your mom is? I'm not sure that would work but I would think that there should be some listing somewhere to look them up.

Try looking in the "yellow pages" of the internet for Florida (right town) and look under the appropriate type of doctor.

Don't know if either of these ideas will work - but you might want to try. It would save long-distance calls if you are able to google.

Good luck. It's hard enough for us to find a good doctor when we're locally let alone when you're a few states away!

Mars · Post by **Mars** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:25 pm

PS - you also might contact the local Area Agency for Aging in the area and see if they can send you a listing of doctors. Or - maybe the insurance/medicare, etc. could help you. Maybe the hospitals could mail you a list or let you know if there is an internet site or something like that.

More thinking.......We're in trouble now!

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:31 pm

Wow, I really got your brain in gear

Thanks for all the suggestions. I have done a good bit of searching on the net for the other doctors and some for a geriatric also, but seems to be a scarcity of info on the latter - at least of the type of info I am looking for.

I will try some of the other suggestions.

Thanks -

Shirley

Carrie · Post by **Carrie** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 4:45 pm

Hi Shirley. Both my dad and stepmother were under the care of a geriatric specialist for the last 14 years of their lives. He was absolutely WONDERFUL. Not only did he know his internal medicine but also the special needs and concerns of older people. He also was their PCP. Too bad he's in California but I'm sure you can find a good one in Florida.

Margie's ideas are excellent and can help guide you. Also I have used a website called www.castleconnolly.com many times to find top doctors in their fields. It costs $29/year to join but I have found it well worthwhile. You can search by state, specialty and even last name (although if the doctor isn't one of America's top doctors he/she won't be listed in their database).

Good luck with your mom and please keep us posted on your progress!

Love,
Carrie

Sally · Post by **Sally** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:01 pm

Hi, Shirley,

Also look up on the Internet and find out what hospital is closest to her. They often have physician's referral services. Our does.

Lots of love,

Sally

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 5:44 pm

Hi Shirley,

My vote is for a geriatric specialist. There should be more of them in FL than in any other state!

Love,

Polly

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 6:50 pm

Thank you One & All,

I WILL find one for her with all you helping me.

Thanks Again

Shirley

P.S. Polly, at what age does a person start to see a geriatric doctor - LOL - Perhaps Mom and I could both use the same one. I know I'm certainly qualified for "Senior" but don't know when one becomes "geriatric".

Jean · Post by **Jean** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 9:37 pm

Hi Sirley,

If it was me, I wouldn't over look asking older people you run into. I bet you can find out more about good doctors in the area at the grocery store than on the internet. I'm stereotyping, but most older people are more than willing to give you their opinion on something.

Most of the 'referral' services just give out names with no evaluation. At least that's what I've found here.

Good luck, Jean

Lucy · Post by **Lucy** » Mon Aug 01, 2005 10:35 pm

Shirley,

Just thought I'd throw in my two cents worth here.

If your Mom has a supplemental, not everyone who takes Medicare will be on every supplemental insurance plan. Therefore, you need to check out her insurance doctor list under the specialities you mentioned. Same for your insurance.

Once you have those lists in front of you, you really should try to contact people in that area of Fla. to see if they know any of them, and even to ask around for you.

If at all possible, try to start getting the medical records NOW, and even if you might want to change once you get there, it's a really good idea to "have a doc" as soon as you arrive, just in case something happens before you've really settled on one for good. I wouldn't wait til your mother NEEDS a doc to go in for a new patient visit, in other words.

If she is on medication/s, her out-of-state doc won't be able to prescribe them once she's moved, so that's a big reason for seeing somebody ASAP in Fla.

Agree with everyone about the Geri-doc, but I'm sure FP's and Internists there are VERY familiar with the elderly, just in case the geriatrics are all booked up.

Hope I'm making sense.
I understood this to mean that you are moving also. That right?

Yours, Luce

Polly · Post by **Polly** » Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:51 am

Hi Shirley,

I don't think there is any cut-off for age for a geriatric doctor. The American Geriatric Society just states that it is an organization for those interested in the health of "older" folks. So, if you find a good doc, maybe you and mom could schedule appts. together - might save you some time and trouble!

Love,

Polly