There are doctors who are specialized in caring for the needs of older adults. They diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that can happen as men and women get older.
Geriatric doctors, also called geriatricians, provide comprehensive medical care to older people, as they are trained to recognise and treat conditions that are unique or peculiar to older adults.
A geriatrician will do these tasks for you:
1. Diagnose medical conditions.
2. Prescribe medications and other treatments.
3. Keep an eye on any side effects You're experiencing from medications and change your prescriptions as needed.
4. Discuss with you the benefits and risks of your treatment.
5. Discuss your daily functioning and help you decide when to make changes.
A geriatrician is helpful for you if:
1. You suffer from multiple medical conditions.
2. You find that treatment for one medical condition negatively affects a second condition.
3. You are experiencing functional decline and frailty.
4. You have a disease associated with ageing, such as dementia, incontinence, osteoporosis, etc.
At what age should you begin to see a Geriatric doctor?
After age 65, especially before age 75. Some people prefer to do this once they clock 50 years.
This is especially important because 50% of adults aged 65 and above have at least 3 medical conditions that require monitoring and/or treatment. Because of these complications, you need a doctor that's specially trained for older adults.
