Avoiding conflicts in treatments and medication are a main reason to put some effort towards care coordination amongst specialists and the Primary Care Physician (PCP). The quality of care and health outcomes can improve significantly with this effort being put forth up front.

Establish a Central Point of Contact: Designate a primary healthcare provider or a care coordinator who can oversee the person's overall care. This person can act as a central point of communication between different healthcare providers. Provide that person’s information to all of your specialists, so they know who to update and communicate with.
Maintain Updated Medical Records: Keep an updated list of all the person's medical conditions, medications, allergies, and past treatments. This should be shared with all healthcare providers involved in their care.
Regular Communication: Ensure regular communication between all healthcare providers. This can be facilitated through scheduled meetings or conference calls (which can sometimes be challenging to have all MDs agree to), or by using a shared electronic health record system.
Understand Each Provider’s Role: Be clear on the role of each healthcare provider in managing different aspects of the person's health. This helps in avoiding duplication of tests and treatments.
Prepare for Appointments: Before medical appointments, prepare a list of questions, concerns, and observations about the person's health. After the appointment, share relevant information with other healthcare providers. You can use the Alzheimer’s Care Partner app to help prepare for appointments and write down your questions ahead of time.
Advocate for Integrated Care: Encourage providers to consider how treatments for one condition may affect other conditions. Integrated care is especially important for someone with dementia and co-morbidities.
Educate Yourself and Others: Learn as much as possible about dementia and the co-morbid conditions. Share your knowledge with other family members and caregivers. Sometimes you may even need to help other doctors help understand the needs of your loved one with dementia if they are not familiar.
Monitor and Report Changes: Keep a close watch on the person's health and report any significant changes to all healthcare providers. This includes changes in behavior, mood, physical health, and response to medications.
Use Support Tools and Resources: Utilize available tools such as care coordination software, caregiver support groups, and educational resources provided by organizations specializing in dementia care.
Self-Care for the Caregiver: Remember to take care of your own health and well-being. Managing complex care can be stressful, so it’s important to seek support when needed.
These practices can help ensure that the person with dementia receives comprehensive, coordinated care that addresses all aspects of their health.

Coordinating care with different doctors with these tips will make sure you get the best, safest treatment without any mix-ups. This teamwork in healthcare really helps improve quality of lift and offers the family peace of mind.

Source: Alzheimer’s Association

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