Geriatric is a specialized branch that is focused on the healthcare needs of the elderly people. The elderly people are likely to have several health problems and have a special health care need which makes their medical care much more complex. Usually, people at the age of 65 or older have 2 or more medical problems, for instance, hypothyroidism, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, neuropathy, high blood pressure, Parkinsonism, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Taking care of the elderly people with multiple and complicated health problems is quite tricky even for the healthcare professionals who specialize in GERIATRICS.

For instance, while prescribing medication for an older patient with multiple health problems a lot of issues need to be considered. As a certain drug prescribed for curing one health problem may not be suitable for another problem and thus increase the risk of side effects or problematic drug reaction by the use of multiple medications. Therefore, while treating an older patient with multiple health problems, it is essential to take a well-integrated approach for treatment and careful monitoring to avoid any consequences.

The health care professional who specialized in GERIATRICS is known as a GERIATRICIAN.  They are specially trained to meet the unique health care needs of the elderly people. They are primary care physicians who undertake additional Internal Medicine residency training, to become a specialized and certified GERIATRICIAN.

Geriatricians are board-certified either in internal medicine or family medicine. They focus on unique health care needs and treatment of the older people.

The geriatricians provide special care for frail sick people who have multiple medical as well as social problems.

These healthcare professionals evaluate the medical, emotional, social, and other needs of older people. They also focus on the major health concerns that are common in older people, for instance, incontinence, memory problems, falls, pain, and managing multiple conditions and medications. The geriatricians focus on all the factors to address the issue that is affecting the health of elderly. They evaluate the patient’s life that includes social supports and living conditions and their ability to perform routine activities like, eating and bathing, dressing.

Geriatrician’s Healthcare professionals are especially helpful in the following situations-

• An elderly person’s mental and medical condition causes substantial impairment and frailty. Elderly people above the age of 75 do suffer from various health problems and disabilities, including frequent falls and memory problems, sleep disorder and additionally they may also require calling paramedics or need urgent care or need hospital admission in an emergency.
• Majority of people may require service of caregivers at some point in time. To visit for the health care related appointments with a doctor there is a need to hire outside services for transport.
• Sometimes to deal with different healthcare specialists and professionals who are involved in providing treatment and care for the multiple health problems of elderly seems to be difficult for the family members and the patients as the treatment process is sometimes complex.

Management of all chronic Internal Medicine and Geriatrics related conditions for details please see (Office Services)