Updated March 16, 2015.
When it comes to Alzheimer's disease, choosing an Alzheimer's doctor is crucial to receiving the proper care and treatment. But who do you see? The medical field has split itself into so many specialties that finding the right professional can be a daunting task.
Your primary care physician is often the best place to start; if more focused testing or treatment is needed, you may be referred to a specialist.
However, primary care physicians don't always refer patients to specialists, even when it could help clarify a diagnosis or supplement primary treatment. In these cases, it’s up to you to sort through the maze of medical professionals.
If you feel that you want more specialized care, use the following guide to help you determine what kind of expert will best meet your needs. Of course, always check to make sure professionals are licensed or certified to practice their specializations.
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP)
A registered nurse specializing in the care of older adults. GNPs may be well-versed in medication and behavioral issues related to Alzheimer's. Becoming a GNP requires a master’s degree and certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Geriatric Psychiatrist
A physician specializing in mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders commonly affecting the older population. Geriatric psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's.
They must earn a doctorate in medicine and complete a residency in psychiatry with an emphasis on geriatrics.
Geriatrician
A physician specializing in the health challenges and diseases common among older adults. Geriatricians sometimes serve as primary physicians for older patients. Becoming a geriatrician requires a doctorate in medicine and a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship (subspecialty training) in geriatrics.
Gerontologist
A professional specializing in the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Gerontologists have a masters or doctoral degree in gerontology and can provide non-medical services to older adults, such as caregiver classes and support groups or early-stage support groups for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although gerontologists are not medical professionals, they are mentioned here because they provide important support services that supplement medical care.
Geropsychologist
A psychologist specializing in the mental health challenges of the older population. Geropsychologists can perform psychological testing and focus therapy on issues related to caregiving, coping, behavior management of Alzheimer's symptoms, and grief and loss. A geropsychologist must have a doctorate in psychology and must have completed an intensive internship of supervised practice with older adults.
Neurologist
A physician specializing in diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and stroke. A neurologist has a doctorate in medicine and has completed a residency in neurology. Neurologists may or may not have specific experience and training in diseases of the older population.
Neuropsychologist
A psychologist specializing in the relationship between brain systems and behavior. Neuropsychologists can perform neuropsychological testing to determine the type and level of impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or other conditions. Becoming a neuropsychologist requires a doctorate in psychology and an intensive internship in neuropsychology. Neuropsychologists may or may not have specific experience and training in conditions affecting older adults.
Sources:
Careers in geriatric psychiatry. American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. 2004. http://www.aagponline.org/prof/careers_gerpsych.asp
Gerontological nurse practitioner certification. American Nurses Credentialing Center. 2007. http://www.nursecredentialing.org/cert/eligibility/gnp.html
How do you become a physician? American Medical Association. March 18, 2005. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14365.html
How do you become a professional in aging? Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. 2001. http://www.careersinaging.com/careersinaging/professionals.html
When it comes to Alzheimer's disease, choosing an Alzheimer's doctor is crucial to receiving the proper care and treatment. But who do you see? The medical field has split itself into so many specialties that finding the right professional can be a daunting task.
Your primary care physician is often the best place to start; if more focused testing or treatment is needed, you may be referred to a specialist.
However, primary care physicians don't always refer patients to specialists, even when it could help clarify a diagnosis or supplement primary treatment. In these cases, it’s up to you to sort through the maze of medical professionals.
If you feel that you want more specialized care, use the following guide to help you determine what kind of expert will best meet your needs. Of course, always check to make sure professionals are licensed or certified to practice their specializations.
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP)
A registered nurse specializing in the care of older adults. GNPs may be well-versed in medication and behavioral issues related to Alzheimer's. Becoming a GNP requires a master’s degree and certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center.
Geriatric Psychiatrist
A physician specializing in mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders commonly affecting the older population. Geriatric psychiatrists can prescribe medications to treat the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer's.
They must earn a doctorate in medicine and complete a residency in psychiatry with an emphasis on geriatrics.
Geriatrician
A physician specializing in the health challenges and diseases common among older adults. Geriatricians sometimes serve as primary physicians for older patients. Becoming a geriatrician requires a doctorate in medicine and a residency in internal medicine, followed by a fellowship (subspecialty training) in geriatrics.
Gerontologist
A professional specializing in the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Gerontologists have a masters or doctoral degree in gerontology and can provide non-medical services to older adults, such as caregiver classes and support groups or early-stage support groups for people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Although gerontologists are not medical professionals, they are mentioned here because they provide important support services that supplement medical care.
Geropsychologist
A psychologist specializing in the mental health challenges of the older population. Geropsychologists can perform psychological testing and focus therapy on issues related to caregiving, coping, behavior management of Alzheimer's symptoms, and grief and loss. A geropsychologist must have a doctorate in psychology and must have completed an intensive internship of supervised practice with older adults.
Neurologist
A physician specializing in diseases of the nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, epilepsy, and stroke. A neurologist has a doctorate in medicine and has completed a residency in neurology. Neurologists may or may not have specific experience and training in diseases of the older population.
Neuropsychologist
A psychologist specializing in the relationship between brain systems and behavior. Neuropsychologists can perform neuropsychological testing to determine the type and level of impairment due to Alzheimer's disease, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or other conditions. Becoming a neuropsychologist requires a doctorate in psychology and an intensive internship in neuropsychology. Neuropsychologists may or may not have specific experience and training in conditions affecting older adults.
Sources:
Careers in geriatric psychiatry. American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. 2004. http://www.aagponline.org/prof/careers_gerpsych.asp
Gerontological nurse practitioner certification. American Nurses Credentialing Center. 2007. http://www.nursecredentialing.org/cert/eligibility/gnp.html
How do you become a physician? American Medical Association. March 18, 2005. http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/category/14365.html
How do you become a professional in aging? Association for Gerontology in Higher Education. 2001. http://www.careersinaging.com/careersinaging/professionals.html
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