My parent is in assisted living on Medicare and Medicaid, can I take him to a doctor outside the nursing facility?

I want to second Jeanne's opinion about getting a second opinion. I'm just still curious why you say that the NH won't be amenable to trying a different med. I wouldn't make that assumption until you heard it from the medical director of the facility, and got a good explanation of why.

Make sure that you and your PoA sibling understand each other's concerns.

saffron007, I think you are very wise to want a second opinion on the treatment plan for something as serious as Parkinson's/Dementia, especially since there is probably more research and new data on that disease than on most other chronic diseases. If the neurologist who saw your parent is not a Parkinson specialist, I'd try hard to arrange to see someone who is. Talk to the Medicaid case worker regarding coverage for second opinions.

The Michael J Fox Foundation website is an excellent source of information. Also the Lewy Body Disease Association website (Parkinsons with Dementia is a Lewy Body disease). Reading up on your parent's condition may help you decide what you need to do next.

Saffron, if you take him to an outside MD, the medical bill is totally on you. So are the medications. Once Parkinson's takes away the ability to walk, there is no getting it back. You will spend thousands and he still won't be walking.

Saffron, it may be that your dad's Parkinsons has advanced to the point where other meds are not going to help. If a neurologist is saying " only this med", then it doesn't seem like it's the NH that is to blame.

My mom is in a nursing home ( private pay) and we've taken her to an outside pulmonologist for consultation and treatment. That doc and the medical director of the NH agreed on a treatment plan.

Why will the nursing home " never try another medication"? Did someone tell you that?

My parent has possible Parkinsons/dementia and not able to walk. Started a few months ago with and rehab has now turned into longterm care. But I want to try other Parkinson's meds to possibly reestablish motor control. He has gotten so much better but at the same time has the confusion with dementia and trys to walk but his body always collapses. I want to bring him to a neurologists who will try other meds. When he was brought to one neurologist thru Medicaid they said they could only do certain meds, I understand this but I also understand the nursing home will never try another medication.

I believe that the nursing home considers their doctor to be his primary care doctor and they can be rather protective of that. Plus, his insurance may not pay for him to go see another primary care doctor.

What are his health problems that has him in the nursing home? What about his health is leading you to question his being in a nursing home?