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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.

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