A physician for old age (Geriatrician) is a specialty medical doctor who treats the medical needs of older patients. Geriatricians have been board certified in older age medicine. They are experts in the medical concerns that affect the aging community. They coordinate care for older patients, as well as diagnosing and treating any age-related problems. These doctors can also provide care in collaboration with other medical professionals. These are just a few reasons to visit a Geriatrician.
They diagnose and treat medical conditions that are age-related
Physicians must be sensitive to the needs and concerns of seniors throughout their careers. These patients are more susceptible to age-related conditions like high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, urinary incontinence and vascular dementia. The elderly are more likely to experience cognitive and psychological changes. This article will talk about common discussions between physicians and older patients. We'll also review changes that can be expected as a result of normal aging. The article will then cover common diseases and the cognitive- and psychological changes associated to aging.
They coordinate older patient care
This study was done to assess the current conditions of primary healthcare teams and to identify the needs of older adults. The findings will be used to help doctors develop a primary care coordination model that addresses the needs of older patients. Researchers also interviewed a representative group of care coordinators to gain insight into their perspectives on the problems faced by this population. Participants pointed out that patients were not involved in the planning process and that they had difficulty coordinating care within different health systems. They also did not know much about older adult services.
They coordinate care with other health care providers
Study found that doctors must be able to coordinate patient care in order to ensure patient safety. Care coordination makes it easier for multiple health professionals to communicate with each other, reducing the chances of having to order unnecessary tests or treatments. According to a surprising 61% percent of seniors, their doctors asked questions about their treatment plan and who they were seeing. A further 28 percent of the respondents said they would love to get more follow-up calls from their doctors. Moreover, 52 percent of respondents said that they would like to participate in a chronic disease management program.
They provide pre-operative evaluations
Part of the preoperative evaluation is a perioperative cardiac risk assessment. It identifies patients who have unstable heart disease and may benefit from delay in surgery. If a patient can climb stairs and is functionally stable, stress tests may not be necessary. The preoperative cardiac risk assessment may reveal other conditions that can affect the outcome of surgery if a patient has been bedridden.
They treat falls
Falling is one of the most common problems experienced by older people. While more than a quarter of senior citizens report falling every year, fewer than half report the fall to their doctor. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, many fall victims do not report it to their physician. Even if they did, a falling victim can suffer serious injury and even death. A fall can be caused by several factors, including poor balance or physical condition.