As your senior loved one ages, having access to a good primary care physician becomes more important than ever. When something goes wrong with your loved one’s health, the primary care doctor is among the first people to help. Since the physician will act as a go-to person for your parent, you need to find someone you both trust. Here are five traits to look for when choosing a doctor.
1. Recommendations
When searching for a primary care physician for your loved one, ask for recommendations. Talk to your neighbors, friends, coworkers, and family members to find out more about potential doctors. Talking to other older adults means you’ll likely find a doctor who’s comfortable working with seniors.
Hiring a professional caregiver is a good way to boost your parent’s health and wellbeing. If your senior loved one needs help managing an illness or assistance with daily tasks, make sure you choose a top-rated provider of elder care. Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one live a happier and healthier life in the golden years. From the mentally stimulating activities in our Cognitive Therapeutics Method to our friendly Care Managers who are available to answer your questions 24 hours a day, we offer a wide array of high-quality at-home care services.
2. Convenience
Another way to narrow down the list of primary care physicians is to choose a doctor whose office is close to your loved one’s home. You’ll also want to select a physician who works full-time and isn’t always so booked up you can’t get an appointment for weeks or months at a time. Otherwise, you could end up taking your loved one to the ER for routine health issues.
3. Communication Skills
Your loved one may see a physician for illnesses, symptoms, and injuries that impact every part of the body, and your parent should feel comfortable talking to the doctor about even the most personal issues. You’ll want to search for a doctor who takes the time to listen. Far too many physicians dismiss concerns or rush in and out of exam rooms without giving patients enough time to express themselves.
4. Geriatric Experience
People may be living longer these days, but the number of doctors who specialize in caring for the elderly is dwindling. While many primary care physicians see people of all ages, you should find someone with experience and a certain comfort level working with people over 60. Not every doctor falls into this category. Ask other older adults who they recommend, or talk to someone at a local senior center or hospital who can offer referrals. You may even consider going online and researching doctors in your area by reading the reviews left by other older adults and their caregivers.
If your elderly loved one is living with a serious medical condition and needs help managing the tasks of daily living, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a Huntsville home care service agency you can trust. Our caregivers are available 24/7, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our in-home care services.
5. Well-Rounded Approach
Some doctors are quick to send older adults to the hospital or put them on unnecessary medications instead of getting to the actual root of the issue. Your loved one is likely to do better with a physician who has a more well-rounded approach, which means the doctor does what he or she can without jumping right to hospital admittance. The primary care physician should also avoid prescribing too many medications unless there’s no other option. Preferably, the doctor will focus more on preventative and evidence-based care.
Caring for older adults can be a challenging job, especially if you have other important duties to tend to. Whether your elderly loved one needs part-time assistance with basic household chores or you need a break from your caregiving duties, the Huntsville respite care experts at Home Care Assistance are here to help. All of our respite care services are backed with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, there are no hidden fees in our contracts, and we never ask our clients to sign long-term contracts. Call us today at (256) 716-9940 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.