Navigating senior healthcare in Central Texas
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Geriatric primary care, specialists, home health, and hospice resources locally.
Central Texas has some of the fastest-growing senior populations in the country - and healthcare capacity hasn't kept pace. Waitlists for geriatric primary care can run 6-12 months in Austin.
Knowing which specialist to see first, how to coordinate them, and when hospice becomes the right call is often more important than the specific insurance plan.
What this covers
Geriatric primary care
A geriatrician (or geriatric-focused internist) sees adults 65+ as their whole practice - focused on polypharmacy, falls, cognition, and goals of care. Worth switching to one if you take five or more prescriptions.
Home health vs. hospice
Home health is short-term skilled care after a hospital stay (Medicare-covered). Hospice is comfort-focused care in the last six months of life (also Medicare-covered). Most families call for hospice too late - the median stay is only 18 days when it could be 6 months of relief.
Care coordination
The average Central Texas senior sees 4-6 specialists. Nobody coordinates them by default. A geriatric care manager (RN or MSW) can be hired hourly to manage referrals, medication reconciliation, and hospital discharges.
Hospital-to-home transitions
The 30 days after a hospital discharge is when 20% of seniors are readmitted. A caregiver, home health, or care manager involved during discharge planning dramatically reduces that risk.
The Central Texas angle
Hospice Austin, Family Eldercare, and AGE of Central Texas are three of the strongest senior-focused nonprofits in the state. Between them, most Austin families can get free case management, respite, and end-of-life support.
Next steps
- Consolidate the medication list across all doctors
- Assign one family member as the primary medical contact
- Have the hospice conversation before it's an emergency
Vetted local providers
Dr. David Okafor, Geriatric Primary Care
Comprehensive primary care for adults 65+, accepting new Medicare patients.
Round Rock · Pflugerville (512) 555-0255Hospice Austin
Nonprofit hospice care across Travis and Williamson counties since 1979.
Austin · Round Rock (512) 342-4700Family Eldercare
Long-running Austin nonprofit offering case management, money management, and caregiver support.
Austin (512) 450-0844
Not sure where to start?
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Ask an ExpertFrequently asked
- What's a geriatrician and do I need one?
- A geriatrician is a primary care doctor with extra training in caring for adults 65+. They focus on polypharmacy, falls, cognition, and goals of care - issues most regular PCPs don't have time for. Worth it for anyone with multiple chronic conditions.