Concierge Medicine through Northeast Georgia Physicians Group offers many benefits, including unhurried office visits and 24/7 access to your doctor. Did you know that same-day appointments are another benefit?
While anyone who is a member of NGPG Concierge Medicine can take advantage of same-day and next-day appointments, this convenience can be especially helpful for older adults.
We have unique health needs at each age and stage of life — and those aged 50 and older are no different. Being able to quickly and easily get in to see a provider with same-day appointments ensures older adults have access to the care they need, when they need it.
Meeting the health needs of seniors
As we get older, wear and tear on the body makes some medical conditions like arthritis more likely. Even for those active adults who spend their time on the pickleball court, pulled muscles and tendonitis can happen. We also have a higher risk of other chronic health conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes.
You may have heard that older adults are at a higher risk of more severe symptoms from infections, such as the common cold, flu, RSV and COVID-19. And that’s true. Generally beginning around age 60 and based on their other chronic medical conditions, symptoms can be more significant and need more urgent attention.
The fact that common, everyday illnesses affect older adults differently is one key reason why same-day appointments can be so beneficial. A woman in her 30s may experience a case of RSV as nothing more than a mild case of the sniffles, but for a woman in her 70s, RSV can lead to severe symptoms and serious complications.
When symptoms of an illness or another health problem pop up, older adults who are members of NGPG Concierge Medicine can quickly make an appointment and be seen by their doctor. This allows for a prompt diagnosis and treatment plan, taking action before symptoms worsen.
Other ways seniors benefit from same-day appointments
When patients who see providers through a traditional medical practice call into the office with a health concern, their primary care provider may not have any open appointments for days or even weeks. In some cases, even the other providers at the practice don’t have availability.
When that happens, patients often turn to urgent care or the emergency room for symptoms that would be best handled by a primary care provider, or they skip medical care altogether. Neither scenario is ideal.
Members who receive care through our Concierge Medicine program don’t face that scenario. While older adults with an emergency situation should still seek care in an emergency setting, most other needs can be handled in our office. And if you have an urgent need after-hours, you can reach your doctor on their cell phone.
There’s another added benefit, too. The number of Concierge Medicine patients is kept small, intentionally, so that the care team can get to know patients well. When you’re seen in our office, you can have the peace of mind knowing your medical needs are being taken seriously and that your medical history is being used to help make decisions about your care.
If you’re Interested in learning more about our Concierge Medicine practice and how it works, call 770-219-9366 or visit ngpg.org/concierge-medicine for more information.