For families
Care for a parent, with room for the family in it.
Often the person arranging care is an adult child, sometimes living in another state. Dr. Shtern works with families: one physician who knows your parent well, keeps the specialists in step, and keeps you informed when your parent wants you to be.
Come to the meet and greet together
Families are welcome at the first visit. It is a good time to ask how the practice handles calls from family, and what happens when something changes on a weekend. About the meet and greet.
Keeping you informed
With your parent’s written permission, Dr. Shtern can update family members, talk with home health agencies and other doctors, and help everyone plan ahead. Members, and the family helping them, can reach the practice by phone at any hour.
Fewer, better prescriptions
Older adults are more sensitive to many medicines, and kidney function, which Dr. Shtern watches closely as a nephrologist, changes how many drugs should be dosed. A full review often finds a medicine that can be stopped, a dose that can be lowered, or two prescriptions from two specialists that should not be taken together. Geriatric and memory care.
Hospital affiliations
Dr. Shtern is affiliated with Jupiter Medical Center and Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. She does not admit patients to the hospital herself.
Paperwork worth having in place
Two documents save a great deal of trouble later: a HIPAA authorization naming who the practice may speak with, and, in Florida, a designation of a health care surrogate who can make medical decisions if your parent cannot. Florida law sets out how a surrogate is designated; an elder law attorney can help with the details.
FAQ
Common questions
Can you talk to me about my mother’s care?
Yes, once she has given written permission naming you. The office can help with the form.
I live out of state. How do I stay involved?
With your parent’s permission, Dr. Shtern can update you by phone. Members can reach the practice at any hour.
Does Dr. Shtern see patients with memory problems?
Yes. Memory concerns are part of her geriatric care. More on geriatric and memory care.
From the blog
Concierge care for an aging parent: a guide for families
How families can coordinate a parent’s care with one doctor: HIPAA permissions, a Florida health care surrogate, shared visits and a plan for calls.
ReadMemory changes: what is normal, and when to see a doctor
How to tell normal forgetfulness from something more, what the National Institute on Aging says about treatable causes, and when to book a visit.
ReadToo many medicines? Why a full medication review matters
Several doctors, several pharmacies, a shelf of supplements. Why older adults benefit from a full medication review, and what the Beers Criteria are.
ReadRelated
Geriatric and memory care
Care for older adults and the families who help them, including memory concerns.
Read moreKidney care and Nephrology
A board-certified nephrologist who is also your internist: CKD, stones, electrolytes, creatinine that keeps creeping up.
Read moreNext step
Meet Dr. Shtern before you decide.
Every membership starts with a complimentary meet and greet. Sit down with Dr. Shtern, see the office, and ask whatever you like.