Find Senior Care (City or Zip)
Join Now Log In
J
jeannegibbs Asked March 2014

When is it appropriate to have a geriatrician as your primary care physician?

My husband Coy was 76 and already diagnosed with dementia when he started seeing a wonderful geriatrician. My father's pcp was a geriatrician when Dad was in his 70s or maybe younger. When mother needed a new pcp in her 80s I got her to a geriatrician.

I think these were all decisions.

Now I'm wondering when I should consider switching to a geriatrician. I will be 69 next week. My chronic illnesses are diabetes and depression. I have had several changes of pcp in the last 12 years -- not by my choice, but by changes in the clinic's staff. I am not dissatisfied with my present pcp but not particularly devoted to her, either.

jeannegibbs Mar 2014
But cap, no one has volunteered to be my primary carer.

anonymous158299 Mar 2014
lol. just stick with your pc physician but train him.. ours walked in yesterday while i was ripping a hunk of foam from ednas wheelchair cushion to provide relief in the hemmhoroid zone.. he fixed ednas constipation but im holding the bottom line -- 2 ounces of chia seeds.. hes the doc, im the primary carer. we both have our place..

ADVERTISEMENT


JessieBelle Mar 2014
Jeanne, you could go with a geriatrician, but I don't think you need to yet. 69 is not old to me. Your mind is clear and you understand how your body works, so I think a regular doctor is okay for now. It is hard to say without really knowing someone. I've known people who are 65 and in such poor shape that they need a NH. Then I've known people 95 who are more fit than I am.

For most people I've known, it seems somewhere around 75 is when the body starts going downhill fast. Maybe that is a good target age for a geriatrician.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ask a Question

Subscribe to
Our Newsletter