Finding gerontology-focused primary care and PT?

[Anonymous]

My dad has agreed that he and my mom should shift their primary care doctor to a practice that is focused on the needs of senior citizens (they are in late 70s and early 80s). He has asked me to find providers.

Unfortunately most of the practices I am finding through googling seem to be focused on memory care/ dementia.

What sorts of search terms or departments should I be looking for? They are hoping to find a GP practice and also my mom is going to need support in recovering from major surgery done in a different state so likely PT and possibly nutritionist.

Their current doctor is retiring so it is a good time to make a change.

[Anonymous]

I think it's rare to find. Much easier to find a neurologist who has a large elderly clientele, but of course there need to be cognitive issues.

If they can afford it, you may want to look into a geriatric case manger who can coordinate all care. They can often find PTs who come to the home if needed and all the people they contract with primarily service the elderly. They can also get aides, etc on short notice. They can even coordinate elder-proofing a home as needed. If your mom will be recovering from major surgery, you will want more than a PT and nutritionist, assuming your dad is elderly too. At least for the first 2 weeks I would have an aide who can help her use the bathroom if needed or shower. You might want to look into a meal service too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's rare to find. Much easier to find a neurologist who has a large elderly clientele, but of course there need to be cognitive issues.

If they can afford it, you may want to look into a geriatric case manger who can coordinate all care. They can often find PTs who come to the home if needed and all the people they contract with primarily service the elderly. They can also get aides, etc on short notice. They can even coordinate elder-proofing a home as needed. If your mom will be recovering from major surgery, you will want more than a PT and nutritionist, assuming your dad is elderly too. At least for the first 2 weeks I would have an aide who can help her use the bathroom if needed or shower. You might want to look into a meal service too.

Thank you for these suggestions! This is our family’s first real elder health crisis so we hadn’t clearly thought through all of the post-op care.

I’m trying to support my brother, who is the more local caregiver, by researching. So this is really helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's rare to find. Much easier to find a neurologist who has a large elderly clientele, but of course there need to be cognitive issues.

If they can afford it, you may want to look into a geriatric case manger who can coordinate all care. They can often find PTs who come to the home if needed and all the people they contract with primarily service the elderly. They can also get aides, etc on short notice. They can even coordinate elder-proofing a home as needed. If your mom will be recovering from major surgery, you will want more than a PT and nutritionist, assuming your dad is elderly too. At least for the first 2 weeks I would have an aide who can help her use the bathroom if needed or shower. You might want to look into a meal service too.

Thank you for these suggestions! This is our family’s first real elder health crisis so we hadn’t clearly thought through all of the post-op care.

I’m trying to support my brother, who is the more local caregiver, by researching. So this is really helpful.

I'm so glad it was helpful. It is well worth the money to have a good care manager. They have connections to the hospital and various agencies and can coordinate care with much more ease than we can. The CM will meet with your mom, get full medical history and have an idea based on the surgery what to have in place and approximately how long. That person can even advocate for your mom in the hospital for certain assessments if needed before release.