New Aging Care!
Updated: Jun 20, 2022
As we age, we need providers that are extensive knowledge of aging, age-related conditions, and an understanding of integrative mental and behavioral health. Physicians manage acute conditions however chronic conditions comprise 6.2mm adults.
As we age, our doctors change with us. When we were children or teens, we saw a pediatrician. We realized that we had to change our mindset and our doctor as we completed more trips around the sun. At 18, we changed doctors to primary care physicians, general practitioners, or an internist because these doctors are trained to handle the health issues of adults.
It is now time for another mindset change when it comes to our doctors and the change is not based specifically on having reached a particular birthday.
Integrative Patient Care
“Geriatric patient care is different from normative older adult patient care and involves additional training and knowledge for providers to create a safe environment, quality of care, and sustainable treatment planning, to name a few. .”
Geriatric care is defined by a number of independent factors:
being 65 or older , AND
having enhanced medical and/or cognitive conditions as:
Alzheimer's or dementia
multiple health conditions,
prescription overuse,
mobility issues.
Geriatric patient care is different from normative older adult patient care and involves additional training and knowledge for providers to create a safe environment, quality of care, and sustainable treatment planning, to name a few.
Comprehensive Care
Often geriatric care requires a pharmaceutical consult, a social worker, or modified treatments. Since our geriatric provider population is more than a 240% deficit, general practice providers treat the majority of our older population. Providers care for our mothers, fathers, and loved ones!
Enhancing provider support begins with:
geriatric patient care education
practice assessments for geriatric care
enhancing provider and staff communication
modifying procedures and treatment planning
As our aging population increases, it is critical to be prepared for health changes, communication needs, and modifying procedures and treatments.