What is geriatrics?
Geriatrics is a medical subspecialty that focuses on diagnosing and treating conditions
that lead to disease and disability of older adults.
What is a geriatrician?
A geriatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained to identify and address the multiple, interacting medical conditions, medications, social situations, emotional and psychological
problems that older adults may face. A geriatrician focuses on quality of life issues, such as preserving or improving the physical and mental function of older adults. Geriatricians develop a
plan of care that considers the whole person--incorporating each person's unique characteristics, medical conditions, medications, values, and preferences.
Geriatricians are typically primary care physicians who are board certified in either internal medicine or family medicine and have also obtained additional training (and certification)
in geriatric medicine. According to the American Geriatrics Society, there are approximately 9,000 geriatricians in the United States.
Why see a geriatrician versus a family physician or internist?
The unique needs of many older adults are often not fully met in a busy medical practice.
Geriatricians have experience with the aging process and ability to help develop realistic goals of
treatment that also incorporate the patient’s values, which usually are to maintain independence and
functioning rather than life at all costs.
Many geriatricians, however, DO work with other health care professionals who
specialize in the care of older adults. Members of a "geriatrics team" may include any or all of the
following health care professionals:
- Geriatrician
- Nurse, Certified Nurse Practitioner
- Social worker
- Nutritionist
- Rehabilitation therapists
- Consultant pharmacist
- Geropsychiatrist
In addition to assessing an older patient's medical history and present health
condition and medications, these team members look at other aspects of an older person's life
including his or her support system (ie, spouse, family, friends), living conditions, and ability to
perform activities of daily living (eg, bathing, dressing, eating). The geriatrician "quarterbacks"
or coordinates the care provided by these team members.
What type of patient should be seen by a geriatrician?
Age alone does not trigger the need to see a geriatrician. Older adults who are
functioning well and whose health problems are being successfully managed should continue to be seen
by their primary care doctor. However, because of their specific training and approach to care of the
older patient, consider consultation with a geriatrician if an older adult is faced with one or more
of the following situations:
- The older person is frail and his/her medical condition(s) are causing
considerable impairments
- The older person has multiple interacting and/or complex medical conditions
- The older person is failing in his/her ability to take care of him/herself
- The older person is experiencing memory problems and/or social problems
- The older person is taking many medications
- Caregivers of the older person are feeling overwhelmed with the stress and strain
of caring for their older loved one.
Health information resources for older adults
(All of the following sites have helpful information on their sites as well as a wealth
of useful links to other useful resources for older adults)
Administration on Aging
www.aoa.gov
Alliance for Aging Research
www.agingresearch.org
American Geriatrics Society
www.americangeriatrics.org
The National Council on the Aging
www.ncoa.org
National Institute on Aging
www.nia.nih.gov
Aging facts and figures
- By the year 2030, the number of adults age 65 or older will grow to 71.5 million,
more than doubling in number from 2002 (35.6 million).
- Persons reaching the age of 65 have an average life expectancy of an additional
18.1 years (19.4 years for females and 16.4 years for males).
- More than half of older adults (54.5% report having at least one disability of
some type (physical or nonphysical) and this percentage increases sharply with age, up to 73.6% in
those 80 years of age and older (1997 statistic)
Source:
US Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging, "A Profile of Older
Americans: 2003"
This information is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or
health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical
condition.
© Copyright 1995-2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. This document was last reviewed on: 6/18/2004...#11717
