Many of you out there may be in the same situation I'm in, or may find yourself here in a few years. My Dad is 86, retired to North Carolina 20 years ago, and is an "Assisted Living" facility. He's not feeling well, is in the hospital, and at $1900.00 a month, we're finding the "assisted living" facility really isn't assisting him as much as they should. His friends down there are getting up in age and aren't able to help him as much as they used to, or are dying off, so we're trying to talk him into moving up here with us. He's still got his mind, it's just his body is failing him.

So here's my dilemma, being new to this area I need to know:

Doctors. I go to Brunswick, and would love to take my Dad there. But they deal with Frederick Memorial Hospital. If the ambulance has to take him to the hospital from here, they'll take him to Jefferson, right? I've heard horror stories about them, are they still true or have they gotten better? Should I find a doc here for him? If so, does anyone recommend a doc close by? We need someone good with the elderly, personable.

Feel free to throw in anything else you may find helpful. Believe me, it ain't easy...he doesn't like the idea of moving. Mostly because he knows I won't let him drive up here. He still has his license down there and it doesn't expire until 2008! He scares the crap outa me when he drives! [banghead]

I do love him though, and I want what's best for him.[^]