A geriatric physician is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of elderly patients. It’s understandable that an older patient will respond to injury, illness, and disease differently than someone who is younger, therefore, it’s highly beneficial to have a doctor who genuinely understands their patients and treats them respectfully. In order to find the ultimate geriatrician that will suit your loved one’s unique needs, you need to conduct research, review his or her health insurance policy information, and schedule a meeting with the prospective doctor.

It’s necessary to thoroughly research potential doctors in your area, most of which can be conducted online. Some of the information you should uncover includes their educational background, areas of interest, and their experience working in the field of geriatrics. While you’re at it, you’ll also want to consider office hours and policies. For instance, it’s important to know when an office opens and closes to determine if this will fit into your loved one’s schedule.

Keep in mind that it’s relatively common for doctors to work at different office locations depending on the day of the week. Additionally, you’ll want to review the policies of the office so you are aware of the procedure for scheduling appointments or the consequences of missing an appointment or arriving late.

If, however, you don’t feel that you are finding all of your answers online, you can always seek out information from people you know. For instance, you can ask your friends and family about their doctors and if they would recommend him or her. Alternatively, you can phone the doctor’s office and ask a staff person your questions. Although, their answers may sway in favor of their office and staff, you’ll still be able to get a feel for the people who work there.

Insurance is another paramount factor to evaluate. It’s extremely helpful to ensure that your prospective physician is in network and, therefore, covered under your loved one’s insurance. It should also be noted that your options might be restricted under a Medicare Advantage Plan. Selecting a physician outside of your coverage is a possibility as well, but know that the policyholder will be responsible for a larger portion of the medical expenses.

The final step is to make an appointment so that your loved one can meet the physician in person to determine how they feel about him or her. It’s vital that the patient is totally assured and relaxed around the physician, so that a positive, constructive relationship can develop. During this initial visit, you’ll want to especially focus on the types of questions the doctor asks You’ll know if the doctor is sincere and cares when he or she asks questions to learn who the patient is, what has been troubling them, and what their future health objectives are. One of the best qualities a doctor can have is to be an emotionally intelligent listener.

It’s imperative to do your homework, examine the health insurance policy involved, and schedule a visit with the doctor before a final decision is made on a new geriatrician for your loved one. These measures help ensure that the patient will be satisfied with the doctor that is chosen for their healthcare.

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