Choosing a Doctor for Your Parents

When choosing a doctor for your eldery parents or other aging loved ones, there are a large number of different important elements to consider in the selection process. The issue for many people is that it can be difficult or not obvious to them what goes into choosing an effective doctor. After all, many of us who are younger and generally of sound health may have little to no experience with doctors and hospitals and medical treatment. But for our parents or other older relatives who are navigating their twilight years, the status quo for them and their health is multiple medications, regular checkups to ensure healthy lab tests and effective management of any chronic illnesses or conditions, and the potential for health emergencies at any time. The following criteria will be useful for anyone trying to determine if a given doctor is suited to care for your loved one.

Review the potential physician’s education and training, ensuring their board certifications are still current. This information can be found online, or simply by asking the physician or their receptionist directly. Before committing, it can be helpful as well to schedule a short interview to question them about their disposition and medical philosophy, to see if they’ll be a good match for your parents and anyone making decisions about their care.

Inquire as to the average wait time to see the doctor, and whether or not they offer same day urgent appointments, and if there’s any system for calls after hours.