Geriatric Care Specialist in Portsmouth, Newington NH

In simplest terms, geriatric care is defined as the medical care of older or elderly people. The extent of geriatric care does not just include the medical needs, but also the psychological, social and psychosocial needs of seniors. More than ever before, geriatric care encompasses a comprehensive approach to coping with aging and managing its effects and complications.

Caring for a geriatric patient greatly differs from the care provided for younger and even middle-aged adults. Important aspects of geriatric care include:
 
Knowing How to Communicate with Patients with Hearing Loss — it is inherently frustrating to be unable to hear what someone is saying and constantly have to ask them to repeat themselves. When working with a patient with hearing loss, healthcare practitioners might:
 
• Get their attention by gently placing their hand on their shoulder. Before giving important information, they may speak their name to get their attention.
• Reduce background noise, such as turning off the radio or television.
• Speak clearly while facing the person and enunciating clearly. Speaking at a slightly slower speed than normal (but not too slow) may also help improve communication.
• Speak loudly, but not shouting
 
Having a Comprehensive Understanding of Common Elder Diagnoses — Understanding common ailments and symptoms can offer insight into what an older patient may be experiencing. These common ailments include:

• Heart conditions
• Dementia
• Delirium
• Depression
 
Respecting Generational Differences — Not only is it important to respect your elders, it is vital to take into consideration the difference in what is normal from one generation to the next. Think about how different kids are today from your youth and you can start to understand how they may feel about younger generations.

Some common health problems in the elderly include:

• Cognitive decline
• Balance issues
• Oral health problems
• Heart disease
• Osteoarthritis or osteoporosis
• Respiratory diseases
• Influenza or pneumonia
• Vision or hearing loss

Geriatric care is important for a number of reasons, including:

• The patient’s presentation is frequently complex
• Common diseases present atypically in this age group
• Co-morbid diseases may confound the presentation
• Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications at the same time for one or more conditions) is common and may be a factor in the presentation, diagnosis and management
• Recognition of possible cognitive impairment is important
• Some diagnostic tests may have different normal values
• Likelihood of decreased functional reserve must be anticipated
• Patients may need to rely on caregivers as social support systems may not be adequate
• When evaluating new complaints, a knowledge of baseline functional status is essential
• Health problems must be evaluated for psychosocial adjustment
 
If you or someone you love is in need of quality geriatric care, come to Portsmouth Family Care. Our trusted medical professionals can help you better manage your conditions and improve your quality of life. If you are interested in learning more about our services or would like to book an appointment, call us or schedule online! We serve patients from Portsmouth NH, Newington NH, Durham NH, Madbury NH, Dover NH, Greenland NH, Stratham NH, and Newfields NH.