What is Geriatrics?
Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health promotion and the prevention and treatment of disease and disability in later life.
A geriatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained to prevent and manage the unique and, oftentimes, multiple health concerns of older adults. Older persons may react to illness and disease differently than younger adults. Geriatricians are able to treat older patients, manage multiple disease symptoms, and develop care plans that address the special health care needs of older adults.
What is a geriatrician?
If you are getting older and having more health problems you may want to consider seeing a doctor who specializes in geriatric medicine. This specialty is increasing in importance as the population ages and that aging population lives longer.
A geriatrician is a doctor who specializes in care for people 65 and older. Just as a pediatrician tends to the needs of a child, a geriatrician cares for the special needs of changing seniors. Geriatricians approach each patient’s needs individually, and possess the knowledge and expertise needed to accommodate seniors.
The most appropriate term for a physician who specializes in the care of older adults is geriatrician, not gerontologist. A gerontologist is generally a non-physician, though physicians who focus on aging research can also be considered gerontologists.
Perhaps an aging parent's health is poor, or he/she is unable to perform activities of daily living as they once did. Other times a recent event such as a hospitalization or fall causes concern and an adult daughter or son is unsure of how to best manage and be of help to his/her parent(s).
That is not to say that Geriatric Care Management services are not sought in caring for the well elderly - they are. In fact, a Geriatric Care Manager’s assistance is ideally sought before there is a crisis so that recommendations can be made to prevent unnecessary injuries, falls or medical interventions. Regardless of when assistance is sought, a Geriatric Care Manager's primary objective is to restore and maintain the highest quality of life possible for the older adult.
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