I'm addressing only the doctor selection of your question as well as and JoAnn's resource suggestions.
Since you're already in Florida, ask the doctors you're seeing for yourself. Some may not have recommendations for elder specific issues, but they might. We got recommendations from a top notch podiatrist, and they were always helpful.
I did find that female doctors in their late 40s or early 50s were very appropriate, not only for me but for my father.
Are you involved with any senior centers, or other activities that would allow you to know other participants well enough to rely on their recommendations? That might be an option as well.
Lastly, from a different viewpoint, FL is a haven for seniors. Although I've not done any research I would anticipate that there are a lot of doctors there to benefit from that. So I would do some research on medical governmental institutions in Florida that address medical malpractice, and locate doctors you DON'T want involved.
You could also accomplish something similar by online searching of court records (assuming that option exists) and note those who have been sued for malpractice, especially more than once.
On a related issue, check with your local Senior Centers to determine what activities might be available for those with short term memory loss. That might be a stretch, but it's worth a try. And the staff may know of senior resources that could help your mother.
In my area, some counties publish lists of senior resources, available not only through the county offices but through private companies. These range from medical facilities to legal offices, and often other related companies, such as transit and/or ambulance service for nonemergencies.
Memory loss is difficult to deal with, at least for me.
My mom lives with me and I would recommend that she NOT live with you. It's hard. The 24/7 of having someone in your house. Constantly dealing with the memory loss and weird conversations that go along with it.
I would ask around re doctors. I don't know if the Keys really have a lot of options so you might have to make the best of what there is and head up to Miami when you need better.
Has she been diagnosed with MCI or dementia or anything yet? If not, I would get her in with someone who does work on diagnosing these things. We're trying to get to the bottom of my mom's memory and confusion issues. They tested her B12, thyroid, changed/eliminated some meds that are common contributors to these issues, etc. Didn't make any difference or the results of blood work were fine.
Yes, I would not move her in with you. If she can afford it, find a nice Assisted Living. If she is in the first stage of a Dementia, her care is going to be more and more as time goes on. And its not fair to your son to need to care for both of you.
Call your County Office of Aging and see if they have a list of Drs. in the area. And any resources that Mom maybe able to use.
I'm adding what you have on your profile because I think it clarifies your question:
"Mom is having short term memory and gets worried about everything have my son helping too as I'm on disability."
How old is your mom? How old is your son? Please don't "assume" your son into this caregiving role -- he may not understand what he is signing up for -- as you and your mother age, the caregiving demands will become more and more intense and will likely overwhelm him. Read the posts on Burn Out on this forum, especially if you have a disability. It's one thing to move your mom close to you (and I agree with this) but it's a whole other thing to move her IN with you (if this is your plan).
Since you're already in Florida, ask the doctors you're seeing for yourself. Some may not have recommendations for elder specific issues, but they might. We got recommendations from a top notch podiatrist, and they were always helpful.
I did find that female doctors in their late 40s or early 50s were very appropriate, not only for me but for my father.
Are you involved with any senior centers, or other activities that would allow you to know other participants well enough to rely on their recommendations? That might be an option as well.
Lastly, from a different viewpoint, FL is a haven for seniors. Although I've not done any research I would anticipate that there are a lot of doctors there to benefit from that. So I would do some research on medical governmental institutions in Florida that address medical malpractice, and locate doctors you DON'T want involved.
You could also accomplish something similar by online searching of court records (assuming that option exists) and note those who have been sued for malpractice, especially more than once.
On a related issue, check with your local Senior Centers to determine what activities might be available for those with short term memory loss. That might be a stretch, but it's worth a try. And the staff may know of senior resources that could help your mother.
In my area, some counties publish lists of senior resources, available not only through the county offices but through private companies. These range from medical facilities to legal offices, and often other related companies, such as transit and/or ambulance service for nonemergencies.
Good luck with your search.
My mom lives with me and I would recommend that she NOT live with you. It's hard. The 24/7 of having someone in your house. Constantly dealing with the memory loss and weird conversations that go along with it.
I would ask around re doctors. I don't know if the Keys really have a lot of options so you might have to make the best of what there is and head up to Miami when you need better.
Has she been diagnosed with MCI or dementia or anything yet? If not, I would get her in with someone who does work on diagnosing these things. We're trying to get to the bottom of my mom's memory and confusion issues. They tested her B12, thyroid, changed/eliminated some meds that are common contributors to these issues, etc. Didn't make any difference or the results of blood work were fine.
Good luck.
Call your County Office of Aging and see if they have a list of Drs. in the area. And any resources that Mom maybe able to use.
"Mom is having short term memory and gets worried about everything have my son helping too as I'm on disability."
How old is your mom? How old is your son? Please don't "assume" your son into this caregiving role -- he may not understand what he is signing up for -- as you and your mother age, the caregiving demands will become more and more intense and will likely overwhelm him. Read the posts on Burn Out on this forum, especially if you have a disability. It's one thing to move your mom close to you (and I agree with this) but it's a whole other thing to move her IN with you (if this is your plan).