What is Geriatric Medicine?
Geriatric doctors, also called geriatricians, specialise in caring for aging adults who often have complex medical issues. They focus on keeping patients functional and helping you maintain your quality of life.
Geriatric doctors understand caregivers’ roles and work with family members, too.
Service Do Geriatricians Offer?
Geriatric doctors diagnose and treat issues that affect older adults. Their patients often have one or more chronic health issues.
While a geriatrician will generally manage your overall care, they also work with others on your health care team, such as:
- Family members
- Caregivers
- General Practitioners
- Nurses
- Pharmacists
- Social workers
- Physical therapists
- Therapists
Older people are often on several medications for different ailments. For this reason, geriatric doctors are highly knowledgeable about drug side effects and interactions.
About Geriatric Doctors
Geriatricians complete medical school and a residency in addition to gaining a medical license and becoming board certified.
The steps to becoming a geriatric doctor include:
- Obtain a Medical Degree (MB BS),
- Complete a multi-year and full-time residency training program, and
- Pass the academic and practical requirements of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine (ANZSGM)
Conditions Geriatricians Treat
Geriatric doctors have expertise in many of the age-related conditions and illnesses that older adults face. Conditions geriatricians commonly treat include:
- Falls
- Memory & Dementia
- Incontinence
- Depression
- Cardiovascular disease
Falls Clinic
Aging people often develop balance and mobility problems. Three out of 10 people over 70 fall annually, and 90% of broken hips in people over 70 result from falls.
Fall Assessments at our Falls Clinic enable your doctor to discover and address your fall risk factors, which can include medications you take and conditions such as:
- Vision problems
- Chronic diseases
- Foot problems
- Cognitive impairment
- Weakness
- Vertigo,
- Environmental hazards (slippery rugs, poor lighting, steps, etc.)
Memory & Dementia Clinic
Dementia is a term describing several brain diseases that come with memory loss severe enough to disrupt your daily life. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60% to 80% of dementia cases.
Geriatric doctors are experts at diagnosing the causes of dementia. Using a combination of memory, ability, and mood tests along with blood work and brain scans, geriatric doctors can offer treatment options and help you (and your caregivers) plan for the future.
Other Geriatric Services
Incontinence - Urinary incontinence (involuntary peeing) is a common problem among older adults. Geriatric doctors can use assistive devices, urination schedules, exercises, biofeedback, and more. Medications and surgeries are also an option.
Depression - Geriatricians can assess a patient’s moods. Symptoms often appear to result from other medical conditions—for example, frustration with regular dizziness.
Cardiovascular disease - cardiovascular disease or patients who have already experienced a stroke or heart attack is common. If you’re already taking medications or have other complicating medical problems, a geriatrician can weigh the relative benefits of various treatment options.
