Why choose Dr. Rao?
When you want a doctor who:
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Will come to your home
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Will answer his phone & speak to you directly
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Spends time with you & isn't rushed to get out the door
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Is holistic
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You can understand and relate to
As a geriatrician, I have seen how difficult it is for older adults to get good medical care and guidance. My house-call based service will give you the time and personal attention you and your caregivers need to navigate the complex path ahead of you.
I focus on putting the pieces of the whole puzzle together- integrating and organizing the medical, cognitive, functional, & social issues into a personalized plan of care that makes sense for an older adult's goals of care. I can also coordinate communication with and between your other doctors and providers, helping make sense of complex & fragmented care.
Additionally, I can provide education about and referrals to organizations and services that can help with your care- e.g. home care agencies, care managers, attorneys/financial planners, facilities.
When and if the time comes, I can also help with palliative & end-of-life care, including hospice referrals/care if needed. Or, if home is no longer a safe option, I can also provide support and education about transitioning to a facility or another community.
So, why not try "one-stop shopping" where geriatrics based medical care goes hand in hand with community support and long-term planning?
Call today to find out more or make an appointment!
Education
Undergraduate
Bachelor of Science, with distinction
The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Concentration in Biological Psychology
Medical Training
Doctor of Medicine (M.D.)
Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway
Clinical Training
Internal Medicine Residency: Rutgers - Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Geriatric Medicine Fellowship: The University of Michigan Medical Center
My Story
I am a NJ native- having lived here for over 50 years, and am very familiar with the health systems of NJ, suburban New York, and Philadelphia.
I entered the field of geriatrics because of my early experiences with my grandparents who lived with us for some time. Interacting with them, I came to appreciate their wisdom, experience, and the difficulties they faced navigating the medical system as their health and functioning declined. I love geriatrics because it integrates medical, functional, social, cognitive, and community issues in planning care for patients. It focuses on the whole patient, holistically- not just one organ system or problem.
More recently, I have experienced geriatrics from the perspective of a caregiver and family member in caring for my father who passed away due to Lewy Body Dementia. I understand the complexities of caring for a loved one and advocating for them to be at home- managing a complex hospital and rehabilitation stay, coordinating care with aides, family, nursing associations, home care agencies, and even hospice.
I bring over 20 years of experience caring and advocating for older adults in a variety of settings from the home to nursing home to hospitals, and have held leadership roles in medical schools, community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities & rehabilitation centers, continuing care communities, and other innovative sites of care for older adults in the community.
If you are looking for program development or educational consultations, I am an experienced educator in the field of geriatrics with additional background in research (focusing on ethnicity & end-of-life care), program development, quality & performance improvement in a variety of settings.
On a personal note, I reside in the Princeton area and am a passionate cook, baker, fitness enthusiast, traveler, & flautist. I also relish my time with my wife, also a physician, and our two teenage children.
In addition to English, I am fluent in French & Kannada (a South Indian language) and familiar with Hindi & Marathi.