Specialists in Aging: Do You Need a Geriatrician?

When your children were young, you most likely took them to a pediatrician. After all, infants and children have unique needs that are distinct from those of grown-ups.

Older adults frequently have medical concerns that they did not have in their 30s or 40s. However, many people are unaware that there are specialized experts who only work with seniors. Our bodies change as we get older. The types of conditions we have and the way they interact with one another differ from what most adults under the age of 60 experience. Geriatricians specialize in the health - care needs of the elderly. Seniors who see a geriatrician are much less likely to end up in a hospital, as these doctors are more likely to look for warning signs like frailty & appetite loss, and they are also less likely to prescribe potentially dangerous medications.

Here are four indicators that you may need the help of a geriatrician.

You're taking several medications.

The more medications you take, the more likely you are to have side effects, have cognitive problems or even end up in a hospital. The older you get, the more difficult it is to metabolize and eliminate medications from your body. A geriatrician can go over all of your medications with you and evaluate which ones you actually require and which you can skip.

You're having trouble remembering things.

A geriatrician can check you for mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which is a precondition to dementia, as well as depression, which is more subtle in older adults.

You have less stability.

If you don't feel as steady on your legs as you used to or are having difficulty moving around, see a geriatrician who can evaluate your balance and gait. A geriatrician can also prescribe balance-strengthening exercises to do at home, as well as send a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to your home to perform a fall-risk assessment. All of these steps can help you stay independent — and in your home — for a longer period of time.

You've been admitted to the hospital.

According to research, older adults who receive geriatric care in the hospital perform better after they are discharged.

Searching for geriatrician near me?
We have got you covered. Visit healthywrinkles and consult a geriatrician near you for healthy aging.