My husband and I are moving next month.

Tarajane, the Mayo Clinic has a Memory Disorder facility in Florida. Look it up. Even if it is a significant drive for you, it could be very worthwhile. Most likely you would make the trip annually, for two days. You could contact them by email or phone between times. They will gladly work with your local geriatrician/PCP.

They are researchers as well as clinicians, and much of their income comes from research grants, so they can take the needed time with each patient. They also work closely with the "care partners" (usually spouse). This is one of the finest dementia facilities in the US. It would be a shame to be in Florida and not to at least check them out.

(My husband's brain tissue resides in their memory bank.)

Wow, that is good as it seems like only yesterday you were worried about driving from Kentucky all the way down to Florida to do some house hunting. Are you still in Florida wrapping up the contract and all the inspections?

We had a wonderful time. Even not knowing he had Dementia this last time. We squabbled a little about some things but now I KNOW how to handle situations. Diversion, pick my battles, if he says the sun is setting when it is rising I will say How beautiful, how about going for a cup of coffee. Also the time I was worried really was when we would stop at rest stops and I would watch him shuffle and hunch over walking to the rest room. I was so afraid he would fall. He didn't though. Now he doesn't shuffle and he walks a little straighter. It will all be good I will have God as my co-pilot and he has always gotten us down there safely. Thank you for your concern. It means a lot to me.

tarajane, how did your trip down to Florida go while you did your house hunting. Was wondering how hubby did on that trip.

Dr. Masley is in Tampa and that is pretty far to go for check ups. It would be an hour drive. I think he is the greatest if he could only have another office in CR. Thank you

All good suggestions here. Healthgrades was mentioned above, but also check vitals website and ucomparehealthcare website for patient ratings. Depending on what part of Florida you're going to there's a well known excellent cardiologist, Steven Masley MD. You can google his name and check his website. Even if not close, it may be worth a call to his office as they might offer other suggestions or networks for all of the doctors you'll need. All the best, pray it goes well for you as it's been a rough time.

Tara, Thanksgiving is coming, many docs in my area are gone that week and have significant staff reductions as well.

There is not alot of time.

Yes, I will get referrals when he goes. It is the first of Dec. Plenty of time to ask all the docs and gather medical records. Thanks

tarajane, your husband probably needs a geriatrician as his PCP, not a GP. And of course he needs specialists as well. I assume you are referrals from his current specialists -- ?

My husband HAS miId Dementia, not HAD....

Check out the website healthgrades. All types of docs listed with ratings.

When my parents moved near me, I took the list of doctors in their network to my local hospital. I went to the nursing station on the general medical floor and asked the nurses for their opinions about which docs were good with seniors. At first, they were hesitant, but once one started talking to me, I had them around me telling me the best docs and which ones to avoid. I trust nurses' opinions, because they work with the docs daily and see which ones are good at diagnostics and follow-up. It worked for me and I found an excellent doc for my folks. That was 13 years ago.

Today, I'd also google them and check out their ratings on various ratings sites for doctors. Good luck with your move!

If you know people in the area to which you're moving, ask them. Next best bet might be to call the hospital to which you would be taken if you called 911 from your home and ask for the names of primary care docs who specialize in geriatric medicine. Then do some checking on line with those names. Check Yelp. It's not unusual for docs to be rated there.