Health Care
Finding a Doctor
Not every doctor who practices primary care has special knowledge in geriatrics. When managing the health care needs of someone 60 or older, it is important to find a primary care physician (PCP) who:
- Has substantial experience with conditions that are common for elders, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis, and depression
- Has a good reputation for prescribing appropriate medications and managing the interactive effects of medications on elders
- Is knowledgeable about home health services and when to use them
- Makes recommendations about regular screening tests such as mammograms, bone density tests, and stress tests
- Can work with you to coordinate all of your health care needs, particularly referrals to specialists and coordination among specialists
It is important to find a PCP who not only can help with illness and disease, but who can also make suggestions about staying healthy, such as modifications in diet and an appropriate exercise routine (see Exercise & Fitness).
In larger metropolitan areas, you may be able to find a physician who specializes in geriatric medicine. However, fewer than 8,000 physicians are certified geriatricians. For help locating a qualified PCP for the elder in your care, contact your Area Agency on Aging (AAA) or your insurance provider. Other organizations that can help you find a doctor include the following:
- The American Board of Family Medicine offers an online search service for board-certified geriatricians. Visit the Web site and type in your city and state. Be sure to use the "Limit Your Search" box and select "Geriatric Medicine."
- The AGS Foundation for Health in Aging offers a referral service to physicians who are members of the American Geriatrics Society and are board-certified in either family practice or internal medicine. If you submit an online request, the FHA will mail you a list of physicians in your area who are sensitive to the special health care needs of elders. Due to the high volume of requests, the response will take at least two to three weeks.
- The American Medical Association offers an online search service by city and state or by specialty.
When interviewing primary care physicians on the phone or in person, it is useful to prepare written questions and take notes. Ask about:
- The location and hours of the practice
- Where tests, exams, and labs are performed
- The training and board certification qualifications of the physicians, nurses, and technicians in the practice
- The hospital(s) that the practice is affiliated with
- What insurance coverage is accepted
- Whether the practice accepts Medicare "assignment" (Medicare-allowable rates for services)
An elder's PCP will help refer you to specialists; a PCP referral may be necessary if your elder is insured through a Medicare Advantage Plan. (For more information, see Medicare.)
Continue to Visiting the Doctor...