Follow
Share

I need Drs. that are closer to them and me so I need PCP and a good neurologist that deals with Parkinson's and dementia. What is the best way to find a new Dr. when you don't have anyone to ask?
My dad is going to Dr. that does nothing for him but he doesn't want to change Drs. How can I get him to go to another Dr? He is in early stages of dementia but still oriented to person, place, and time.

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Now here's what I did to cut my mom loose from a doctor that wasn't helping, but hurting her. First, I found a new doctor and checked references to make sure it was a better move for her. Then I made the appointment, and told mom the new doctor was a specialist that was going to help with XXX. Once she met the new doctor and that initial H&P was done and she got comfortable with her (the new doc was female, which also helped), it was really easy to get the rest of the transition done and cut off appointments with the quack. Mom was also pretty lucid at that time and dead set against leaving her old dr, but that actually helped HER realize the new one was better.
Helpful Answer (1)
Report

Call the nearest teaching hospital that is affiliated with a major university in the area, even if it is hundreds of miles away. Ask to speak to the Director of Medical Staff Services, or the Medical Staff Office. They will have listing of doctors, arranged by specialty, for just about every physician within hundreds of miles of that hospital, even if they aren't on the staff. They can help point you to any local physician referral services in your area as well. You can try your local community hospital, but they will only have info about the doctors that actually have staff privileges there, and that can be very limited in a small town, extra-suburban or rural area. Good luck!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

Emmie, what about their Health Insurance? First you get that squared away.
Many policies are only good within the network area (county or state). Ask the ALF who their staff physician is and if he will take your insurance.
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

What I did when I moved my parents near me was to go to our local hospital. I took the listing of doctors in their network and went to the main nurses' station on a general nursing floor and asked for recommendations. At first they were hesitant, but once one started talking, I got lots of good advice about who was good. I found a gerontologist that way and then got recommendations from him for other specialists my parents needed (cardiologists, etc). You can also google the healthgrades website and look for nearby doctors with good ratings. Good luck!
Helpful Answer (0)
Report

This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.
Ask a Question
Subscribe to
Our Newsletter