Patients become attached to their physicians and sometimes the loyalty is well-placed. However, since ensuring that an elder loved one is receiving the best possible medical care is a sacred responsibility, this may mean severing ties with past providers. Many older adults are opposed to changing doctors, but if the caregiver is concerned they can seek a neutral second opinion using the geriatric assessment process.
According to the 2018 American Family Physician Journal, a geriatric assessment “is a multidimensional, multidisciplinary assessment designed to evaluate an older person’s functional ability, physical health, cognition and mental health, and socioenvironmental circumstances.”
Assessments are usually initiated when the physician identifies a potential problem, but families can initiate the process as well. Families often initiate assessments when they feel their loved one is not getting optimal care and their loved one is opposed to changing doctors.
The centers that conduct assessments can advise on eligibility
requirements, insurance coverage, the evaluation process itself and on how to access the appropriate referral form. Then, caregivers should attend the elder’s next doctor’s appointment and ask the physician to make a referral to the center.
The center reports the assessment results back to the referring physician and makes recommendations for optimal care.
The following centers accept most health insurances but it’s best to verify in advance:
Ascension Health
Rose Family Senior Assessment for Independent Living Center
26850 Providence Pkwy
Novi, MI 48374
248.465.5330
Wilson Center: Senior Resources for Independent Living Center
648 St. Clair
Grosse Pointe, MI 48230
313.264.6460
Beaumont Health
Beaumont Geriatric Assessment Center
1949 12 Mile Rd., Suite 100, Berkley · 248. 551.0615
Beaumont Medical Center – Dearborn
17000 Hubbard Dr., Ste. 300,
Dearborn
313.982.4351
Beaumont Geriatrics Center – Henry Ford Village
15101 Ford Rd., Ste. 130, Dearborn · 313.582.2769
Detroit Medical Center
Rosa Parks Geriatric Center
4201 Saint Antoine St Ste 5B,
Detroit, MI 48201
888.264.0102
Memory Assessment only from a referring physician. DMC patients may receive physical assessment as well.
Henry Ford Health System
Several centers offer evaluations for seniors. To learn which conditions they evaluate, call 313.876.2526 or 800.422.1183
University of Michigan/Michigan Medicine
East Ann Arbor Health and Geriatrics Center
Turner Geriatric Clinic
4260 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5796
West Ann Arbor Health Center
Parkland Plaza
380 Parkland Plaza
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Northville Health Center
39901 Traditions Drive
Northville, MI 48186
Call 734.764.6831 for an appointment or visit