Gerontologist Vs Geriatrician: What’s the Difference?

Simply put, a gerontologist is someone who studies the process and outcomes of aging and the elderly. Gerontology is a huge field and includes fields such as psychology, sociology, public health, social work, and medicine. Gerontologists can also serve as a great resource for educating the general public about aging and conduct important research on the aging process.

On the other hand, geriatricians have extensive knowledge about the medical side of aging. Some common medical problems that can happen as people age include heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, strokes, and osteoporosis. Geriatricians are medical doctors that can diagnose and treat conditions associated with aging and provide care and prevention for the elderly. They can also help aging patients manage illnesses, deal with mobility problems, provide guidance around medications, and offer hospice care to people with terminal illnesses. At Portsmouth Family Care, our team has the medical training and expertise to provide care to aging patients, all in the safety and comfort of our private practice medical clinic.

While some gerontologists can be geriatricians as well, geriatricians are unique in that they provide medical care to people who are aging. While some gerontologists may provide medical care, that field is vast and encompasses many different professions. Geriatricians, such as our doctors at Portsmouth Family Care, focus on diagnosis and treating medical ailments that are specific to the elderly.

If you or your loved one are experiencing any health conditions related to getting older, then it is a good idea to visit a geriatrician. On the other hand, there are many different reasons why someone would visit a gerontologist, such as for educational purposes. If you are looking for medical care related to aging, then look no further than Portsmouth Family Care. Our team has extensive experience working with elderly patients who have heart disease, osteoporosis, and many other diseases associated with aging.

Portsmouth Family Care serves Newington, NH, as well as the surrounding areas of Portsmouth, Durham, Madbury, Dover, Greenland, Stratham, and Newfields. With top-notch care, an excellent team of medical professionals who have years of geriatric care experience, and a convenient and accessible location, Portsmouth Family Care is the best choice for medical care for the elderly. If you have questions about how our team can help you or your loved ones with geriatric medical care, please give us a call today for more information. We are open three days per week and welcome patients of all ages to our clinic. We hope to help you with all of your geriatric needs soon! We serve patients from Portsmouth NH, Newington NH, Durham NH, Madbury NH, Dover NH, Greenland NH, Stratham NH, and Newfields NH.