Specialists in Aging: Do You Need a Geriatrician?

Geriatricians play a crucial role in healthcare due to their specialized training in caring for older individuals. These primary care doctors possess a deep understanding of the unique medical complexities that often accompany aging. They can practice in various healthcare settings, including outpatient clinics, nursing facilities, and hospitals.
 
Geriatricians prioritize the holistic needs of their patients, considering their overall well-being, function, and quality of life. Their expertise allows them to navigate the multiple chronic conditions that older patients frequently face.
 
One notable aspect of geriatric care is the emphasis on personalized attention. Some geriatricians go the extra mile by conducting home visits, enabling them to observe firsthand the patient’s living environment. This approach helps identify potential modifications that could enhance safety, nutrition, function, and mobility.
 
Furthermore, geriatricians recognize the significance of involving family members and other caregivers in the care process. They facilitate the coordination of care with specialists to ensure comprehensive and well-managed treatment.
 
Engaging the services of a geriatrician can be particularly beneficial under specific circumstances. For instance, if you have multiple medical conditions, a geriatrician’s expertise allows them to address the interplay between different ailments effectively.
 
They can develop treatment plans that minimize the negative impact of one condition on another. Additionally, geriatricians are skilled in managing functional decline and physical frailty, which are common challenges experienced by older adults.
 
Geriatricians possess valuable knowledge concerning age-related diseases such as dementia, incontinence, and osteoporosis. Their training equips them to navigate the complexities of these conditions, providing targeted care and support.

Geriatricians offer valuable assistance by taking a comprehensive approach to healthcare. They have expertise in understanding the big picture when it comes to older adults’ medical needs. For instance, many seniors take multiple medications to address various conditions.
 
Geriatricians are well-versed in the potential side effects and risks associated with multiple medications. They can help prioritize which drugs are necessary and which can be omitted, ensuring optimal medication management.
 
Another benefit of geriatricians is the time they dedicate to each patient. Geriatric practices typically schedule longer appointments, allowing older adults to thoroughly discuss their medical concerns. This extended time frame ensures that all issues are addressed, promoting effective communication and understanding between the doctor and patient.
 
Geriatricians excel as primary care providers by focusing on both wellness and chronic disease management. They prioritize preventive health measures and work closely with their patients to implement strategies that promote overall well-being. By considering the individual’s specific health conditions and medications, geriatricians prioritize treatment to maximize physical functioning and well-being.

When selecting a geriatrician, there are several important factors to consider. Begin by inquiring about the geriatrician’s training and certifications, as well as their affiliation with an academic medical center, which often indicates access to the latest advancements in care.
 
Ensure that the practice accepts your insurance and familiarize yourself with the office hours, after-hours availability, and emergency management protocols. Additionally, ask about any at-home care services provided by the geriatrician.
 
Effective communication is vital, so find out how geriatrician coordinates with specialists and how they prefer to communicate with patients—whether it’s through phone calls, electronic portals, or face-to-face meetings.
 
Aligning with the geriatrician’s philosophy is important, particularly regarding your health goals, considering they may evolve over time. Inquire about additional programs or services offered, such as exercise classes or fall-prevention education, to support overall health and well-being.
 
When seeking a geriatrician who meets these criteria, Portsmouth Family Care in Newington is an excellent option.

While there is no specific age requirement to start seeing a geriatrician, most individuals begin seeking their care when they reach the age of 65 or older. It is advisable to consider seeing a geriatrician if you experience frailty or impairment, have multiple medical conditions that necessitate complex care and medication regimens, or find that the support provided by your caregivers is no longer sufficient.
 
Geriatricians take a holistic approach, addressing the mental, physical, and emotional well-being of their patients. Unlike many other medical specialists who focus on treating a single disease, geriatricians prioritize improving the overall quality of life for their patients. If you feel that your current medical care has not yielded the expected improvements, it is worthwhile to schedule an appointment with a geriatrician.
 
Geriatric care is available at Portsmouth Family Care in Newington. We serve patients from Portsmouth NH, Newington NH, Durham NH, Madbury NH, Dover NH, Greenland NH, Stratham NH, and Newfields NH.