Is anyone themselves or elder relative’s switching from internist to a geriatrician? Just curious, since I have met one in connection with my dad. DD wasn’t enthusiastic and didn’t want to continue, tho did attend two appointments.
Not my parents (who are 73 and 74). That just sounds so freaking old to need a geriatric specialist! My in-laws (80 and 84) might, but they’ve got all kinds of health problems - heart, diabetes, etc.
I believe my parents (80 and 83) have access to one, in addition to their primary care doctors, through the CCRC where they live. They are in good health and live independently in their community but each has a chronic health condition that, while well under control now, will most likely flare up sometime down the road. They liked the geriatrician when they met with him and he was able to give them some insight into quality of life issues if/when these conditions flare up. My siblings and I hope he will continue to be a good resource.
@Himom - I’ve been reading your posts on this thread with interest. We have some good friends who, for the past 20 years have planned to retire to Hawaii. They have family there as well as the resources to afford it. Three years ago, my friends H was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and it has taken to more than a year to put together a medical team that he is happy and comfortable with. Just last week my friend told me their plans are on permanent hold because a move now would mean giving up his doctors at UCLA and starting over again in Hawaii. They have heard the same from their friends in Hawaii as you’ve described on this thread - a lot of the top physicians and specialists are retiring. It’s a conundrum and it’s given me a lot to consider when I think about leaving the LA area. Good medical care is an absolute must have.
D has multiple chronic on-going medical issues. She has aged out of the specialists at the state’s childrens’ hospital. It has been a very difficult transition to adult care, and anything but seamless. Appointment scheduling is 3-9 months out (usually at least 6), even if there’s a flare-up that needs much quicker medical attention. This is in the state’s capitol with the major medical centers. It is very frustrating.
Locally, (in a rural area), many of the doctors are retiring or will be in the next 10 years. The last 4 haven’t even referred to someone else; just a letter saying they quit. It’s a mad scramble to find someone else, and even more worrisome since H & D have multiple medical needs.
I used not to completely trusts the doctors who looked like they were 12. Now I try to chose them so hopefully they practice as long as I live.
When I am looking for doctors I ask friends and neighbors for recommendations - this had been useful in finding various healthcare providers.
In the learn something new on CC - I had never heard of a concierge doctor before this thread (had to look up what it means) - I guess they are not big here in NJ?
I admit I have been spoiled by seeing a top-notch specialist in Denver for the past 16 years, but it’s been harder and hard to handle the altitude with bad lungs. I’m not sure I’ll ever find the same amazing quality of care I received from him and his staff, but it was VERY helpful at allowing me to optimize my health.
As I get older, it matters more and more to me to always have access to excellent care and I am concerned about my aging quality physicians. I don’t see younger docs filling their shoes anytime soon and am rather apprehensive about the transition when my docs retire, as I suspect they will sooner than later.
Your friends are wise to be considering medical needs and specialists in making retirement plans. I continue to travel out of state to get many of my medical consultation. I wish I could have all my needs met on island and instate, but it has not been possible.
I’ve had problems with PCPs staying around. I settle on one, have an appt. or two, and then get a letter saying he/she has left. One doctor I saw a few times was fairly young but developed health issues herself and retired in her 40s. Anyway, this time I switched doctors within the practice - after the doctor I’d seen once left. I like the location, the attached hospital, etc. My new doctor is a geriatric specialist which amuses me. I’m 62 and have no health problems - no medications. I don’t even need glasses. Anyway, I heard good things about this doctor and figured - what the heck - I’m only getting older. Did some checking and talked to a triage nurse in that practice. Turns out she herself (early 50s) uses him because he’s good and she also adores his nurse practitioner. I saw the nurse practitioner once and liked him. I’ll see my new doctor for the first time Friday. Technically he’s been my doctor for a year and a half but as I said I have no health problems and am careless about annual physicals. Hope I like him - I have a string of PCPs in my wake. They just keep disappearing on me - it’s a good thing I’ve been healthy.
Timely thread my doc just told me he’s “done” and while I am happy for him as he’s my age and I will be working probably for five more years, I am sad that I have to find someone new. When someone has known you and your family for over 30 years…that is a lot of insight that “new person” won’t have 
I may just stick with the PA I have come to know somewhat in that office and they can assign a doc.
I already have a new young eye doctor. My dentist is in a practice with five others…and they are all younger. My PCP probably will retire soon. He doesn’t have anyone in his practice but he is part of a larger network with many PCPs in their group. I will transfer to one of them.
While I agree that most of us can expect to see our physicians retire within the next ten years or so if they’re about our age, I had an interesting experience a couple of weeks ago. I have an endocrinologist/endocrine surgeon (although he no longer performs surgery) that I see once a year and have been for over 20 years now since he diagnosed me with Hashimotos’, and I had half my thyroid removed. I knew he was old, probably really old… but I stick with him because he has a national reputation, even though it’s a good 45-60 minute drive to his suburban office. When I was googling him a couple of weeks ago to get his address (his office moved last year), I unintentionally saw an article that told me when he graduated from medical school. Get this… 1956!!! So that makes him about 86 years old! I think his wife also works in the practice - I think they’re only their two days a week. His mind is sharp as a knife!
But what’s so funny is, every year when I leave, they always schedule my appointment for the following year! I’m sure you all are thinking exactly what I do every year… how do they know he will be there next year!
Yesterday when I was at my internist’s office and updating him on my thyroid med changes, he asked me who my endocrinologist was, and when I mentioned his name, he said, “Is that the guy down in the south suburbs?” And when I said yes, he said, “That guy is a legend.” And I said, “That’s why I go to him.”
So lesson learned, don’t always assume your doc is going to retire in his 60s!
Concierge doctors are becoming more common in SE Fl. lots of older people with many health issues. They don’t want to be kept waiting and they often wish to be seen the same day they call. They also want “their” doctor to visit them in the hospital, not someone else in the practice. That said, I don’t know young people signing up, unless they have multiple health issues.
Well, one of my docs told me he’s retiring in 6/2017, so am scrambling to find a replacement, but have not been able to find anyone I connect with nearly as well. He has an international reputation, for good reason. Oh well, I’m sure other docs will fill in, though it won’t be the same.
My other docs haven’t mentioned retiring, so I’m not sure how much longer they’ll be practicing. One recently relocated his office and spent a lot on electronic health records, so he and his partner will likely keep practicing awhile to recoup those costs.
My H will retire in 4-5 years and it’s going to dislocate a lot of people. He’s in solo practice and no one wants that lifestyle. (Understandably.). His bigger concern though is his ~15 employees. It’s a big emotional burden to have that many people’s livelihood on your shoulders. When I retired, I just left and that was that.