Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health care of the elderly. It aims to promote health and to prevent and treat diseases and disabilities in older adults. It requires an interdisciplinary approach. Geriatricians, physicians specialized in the care of the elderly, work with other physicians, nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and family members, in order to provide comprehensive care for older patients with multiple needs.
Because the symptoms of many diseases can present differently in seniors than they do in younger adults, Cleveland Clinic’s geriatricians, doctors who specialize in caring for older adults, can be valuable in pinpointing the underlying cause of often baffling medical symptoms, as well as emotional and behavioral changes. Geriatricians can help patients balance a variety of medications and find dosages that will optimize treatment while avoiding drug interactions and the symptoms of overmedication.
The Department of Geriatric Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Florida provides compassionate care geared toward minimizing complications through the early recognition of confusion, delirium and agitation in frail older people with acute medical conditions.
Geriatric Medicine Research
The Department of Geriatric Medicine at Cleveland Clinic Florida is active in Geriatric Medicine Research Studies. The research includes: studies in cognitive dysfunction, trials on hip fractures and anemia, a multi-center observational study on soft tissue infections, and clinical studies on fractures.
Special Services
To help address some of the problems most common among seniors and help them gain personal management skills, the Department of Geriatric Medicine has developed several special services, including:
- a memory disorder clinic
- a gait and balance disorder clinic
- a pain management program developed in conjunction with the anesthesiology department
- a special service for patients at high risk for surgical complications
The Geriatric Medicine staff understands finding the treatment that best meets each patient’s needs is not always a straightforward process. But thanks to their extensive expertise in treating senior adults and their access to advanced treatment resources, they can help simplify the process and find viable options that not only improve patients’ physical well being, but also their total quality of life.
