How to Choose a Primary Care Doctor for Your Parent

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How to Select a Primary Care Physician for Your Loved One in Montgomery, AL

Regular visits to the doctor can help seniors preserve their quality of life and stave off many health conditions. A doctor can perform examinations, often catching age-related diseases before caregivers notice any symptoms. Diagnosing serious conditions in their early stages can often make them easier to treat. Below are some of the criteria you should use when selecting a primary care physician for your senior loved one. 

Verify Credentials

When it comes to your parent’s care, you should choose a physician with a proven track record. During your search, look for physicians with high standards and a record of positive outcomes. The agency a physician is affiliated with should also have high standards of excellence, which includes being board certified, having valid memberships with leading medical associations, and staying up to date with medical codes and requirements. If the physician is unable to verify his or her credentials, this should be a warning sign. 

Family caregivers may find it difficult to manage their personal responsibilities while caring for their loved ones. If you’re the primary caregiver for a senior loved one in Montgomery, respite care is available when you need time away from your important caregiving duties. At Home Care Assistance, our respite caregivers are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help your loved one manage everyday tasks in the comfort of home while you have the chance to take a much-needed break.

Check with Your Loved One’s Insurance Provider

Insurance is one of the most important factors when it pertains to choosing a primary physician. The provider may have a predetermined list of in-network physicians your loved one can choose from, and you’ll need to narrow down your list of primary care physicians based on that list. 

Seniors receiving Medicare benefits can conduct searches on the Medicare website, which lists physicians by their names, locations, and specific medical specialties. Professional representatives from Medicare as well as other insurance providers are always available to help you choose a good primary physician for your loved one. 

Get Positive Referrals

Asking people you trust is a great way to find a primary care physician for your parent. You can ask your friends and family members or a senior-friendly organization in the community. It’s also a good idea to ask other family caregivers, since these individuals can give you better insight into why a particular physician would be a good medical provider for your parent. Family caregivers will likely know which doctor specializes in the type of care your loved one needs, which could include Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or diabetes care. Asking people you trust for referrals allows you to get honest reviews of physicians and their practices.

If your senior loved one has been diagnosed with a serious condition and needs help with tasks like meal prep, transportation, bathing, and grooming, reach out to Home Care Assistance, a leading provider of home care families can trust. We also offer comprehensive care for seniors with dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Find Out How the Physician Operates

Some physicians refer the seniors they see to specialists, while others prefer to manage the majority of a senior’s care themselves. Although seeing a specialist is often necessary based on individual needs, don’t choose a physician who is too busy to fit your loved one in. Physicians with large patient bases are more likely to pass seniors off to other doctors within their networks, which could be confusing for your loved one and cause him or her to skip regular appointments. Choose a primary physician who is attentive, flexible, and reliable. 

Seniors need regular checkups because they’re at risk for many age-related illnesses. 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 Montgomery at-home care 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. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your loved one, call us at (334) 593-3988 today.

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