What is Senior Care?
Older adults, or seniors, will require special health care exams and treatment. Frequently their medical care is more complex. More than 50% of adults ages 65 and older are dealing with three or more medical conditions including cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, or Alzheimer’s disease. Caring for seniors, or what is known as geriatric medicine, is an important specialty which requires extensive knowledge and skill. For instance, when prescribing medications for an individual with several health condition the doctor must take into account how a medication for one condition will interact with the other conditions and with other drugs. A drug which treats one health issue very well can cause complications to another.
Who Provides Geriatric Care?
A geriatrician is a physician who is uniquely trained to assess and manage the individual healthcare requirements of older patients, also referred to as the elderly. Geriatricians are usually board-certified internists or family medicine practitioners who have specialized training in geriatrics. As a result of their distinctive training, geriatricians characteristically provide treatment for older patients who have been diagnosed with the most complicated medical and social problems including:
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes
- Epilepsy
- Parkinson's disease
- Sleep disorders
- Dementia
- Alzheimer's disease
- Cancer
- Stroke
Due to enhancements in medical care, nutrition, and advancements in technology, the amount of people in America who are older than 65 is larger than ever before and continues to go up.
Do I Need a Geriatrician?
Consult a senior, or geriatric, care provider when:
- An older individual’s state of being has become significantly impaired and weakened. These patients are usually over the age of 75 and have multiple diseases and disabilities including cognitive and memory issues.
- Family members and friends have faced substantial strain as caregivers.
- Family members and patients have difficulty executing complex treatments and/or are dealing with numerous healthcare providers for their various health troubles.
