What is geriatric care?
Geriatric care is the support provided at SivIMed Internal Medicine and Primary Care for people in their older age. Certain health problems are more likely to affect older people, and seniors are also vulnerable to injuries as they become increasingly infirm.
Although there’s no defined age at which you become a geriatric, and indeed many people in their eighties and beyond retain excellent health and well-being, the term is generally used to describe patients over the age of 65.
What are the medical needs of geriatric patients?
Many of the health care needs of geriatric patients are a complex combination of several long-term conditions, and according to the American Geriatrics Society, 50% of people aged over 65 have at least two long-term health problems, such as:
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Osteoarthritis
- Hypertension
- Osteoporosis
- Dementia
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Incontinence
- Chronic pain
As well as trying to manage their medical problems, geriatric patients also face increasing difficulties with mobility and dexterity, balance, eyesight, and hearing, and often develop mood disorders or encounter social isolation problems.
What care is available for the geriatric population?
Health care professionals like Dr. Sivakumar at SivIMed Internal Medicine and Primary Care use an evaluation tool called the 5ms of geriatrics, which looks at five areas of health and well-being.
- Mind: Are you exhibiting any signs of dementia?
- Mobility: Do you have any problems moving around?
- Medications: What regular medicines are you taking?
- Multi-complexity: Do you have any other health conditions?
- Matters most: Which aspects of your health are most important to you?
Dr. Sivakumar looks at each of these areas to see how to improve your health using a holistic, whole person approach so that she can prescribe the optimal health care plan for you. The goal of geriatric care is to keep you healthy and happy throughout your later years while avoiding or expertly managing chronic conditions for optimal well-being.
If you would like to learn more about geriatric care or want to discuss healthy aging with Dr. Sivakumar, call SivIMed Internal Medicine and Primary Care today, or book an appointment online.
