Seeking geriatric specialists in CT for immobile patient

October 16, 2024 8:14 AM

So our 92 year old mom is completely bedridden, confined to a second floor bedroom. She has 24-hour in home LPN care and an RN who comes by every 10 days or so. Her longtime PCP retired last year and the new doctor in the practice has stated that she must come to the office for her annual physical so she can be examined in person.

Because she is on a couple of prescription meds, we understand she needs to have yearly review so the prescriptions can be renewed.
However, she is literally unable to get out of the house. Her old doctor was satisfied with tele-health visits, with the nurse taking and reporting BP, etc. -- I reached out to the office and said it's impossible to get her to the office, they were unmoved and said she needs to schedule an appointment.
SO- seeking suggestions for a geriatrician (or GP) in the Middlesex County area of CT who will operate virtually -- Medicare accepts virtual appointments for your annual physical, so this doctor's rule seems nuts.

posted by mmf to Health & Fitness (6 answers total)

It's probably out of service area for Yale's home based geriatrics service, but they might have leads for you if it is out of range.
posted by cobaltnine at 9:19 AM on October 16

Apologies if this is too obvious, but can you get advice from your current RN or whatever organization is providing their service? They should have people versed in arranging palliative care. I'm not in Connecticut, but for one elderly relative we were able to have a NP come to the house for an exam, and the nurses were able to prescribe some meds themselves.
posted by hovey at 9:24 AM on October 16

I want to echo what hovey said. When my seriously ill bestie was in the final stages of her life, the in-home folks who were assisting were the ones who knew how to get the various services we need. Alternatively, since your mom's old PCP was her longtime physician, I wonder if you can reach out to them and ask them to intercede with the office staff?
posted by BlahLaLa at 9:49 AM on October 16

Is your mother connected with hospice? It's not just for people who are about to die any minute now. It's for anyone with a serious illness who is nearing the end of their life. And at 92 and bedridden, I think it's at least worth inquiring whether your mother qualifies. If she does, they'll be helpful in arranging for all the medical care she needs to meet her where she is.
posted by decathecting at 10:12 AM on October 16

You might find some good resources through Masonicare, in Wallingford, they do have community outreach programs.
posted by Dashy at 11:26 AM on October 16

A 99 year old father of an old friend lives in my city. When his 97 year old disabled wife became ill someone in the medical practice they have used for many years was willing to come to their home to care for her. There are also home blood-draw services and home x-ray services if your mother is very disabled/ill and needs those services. You would have to check with her insurer to see if these home services are covered, but they do exist. They would, of course, need to be ordered by a medical professional.

I wonder if conferring with a geriatrician practice would be more helpful, as cobaltnine suggests. I would not downplay the advantages of an actual in-person medical visit (as opposed to a virtual visit) and perhaps you can make this happen for her at home. Good luck. I know this can be frustrating!
posted by citygirl at 11:37 AM on October 16