Geriatricians care for the older person who may be frail with considerable impairments. And while the patient's family doctor is skilled in his or her profession, a doctor who deals with the specific problems of aging will be better able to improve the outcomes of these patients.
A geriatrician is a subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine or Family Practice. The practitioner has specialized knowledge and skills relating to the aging process and the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of illness in the elderly, mainly 65 and older. Their practice can be in the hospital, a medical office, a nursing home, or even in the patient's home. Since the elderly may not exhibit the same symptoms as a younger patient due to the aging process, geriatricians are trained to recognize signs, drug interactions and illness in this patient's populations. Also in their scope of practice, is assisting with community resources and ethical issues that may arise.
Geriatric doctors deals with many different conditions as they relate to the senior citizen. Patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, arthritis, cataracts, depression, emphysema, heart disease, high blood pressure, incontinence, injuries, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, pneumonia, skin cancer and stroke are only a few of the illnesses and diseases that the physician is skilled in treating and preventing. More specific to the elder is the doctor's skilled approach in dealing with an impaired overall function, general decline, as well as vision and hearing problems.
They follow a holistic approach that encompasses the complete person, both physically and mentally. They also work closely with the older person's other doctors, therapists, pain clinics, home care agencies, and various support groups. This assures that the older patient is not taking more medicine than is necessary because this increases the risk of adverse side affects and complications. The elderly do not process and metabolize medicines as readily as their younger counterparts, so toxicity can develop. Adjusting medicine to a safer, lower dosage is one area that is looked at closely.
Including the family in the patient's care is considered vital to optimizing the quality of the patient as well as the caregivers. The doctor of geriatric medicine knows that family members need to take care of themselves, as well as their aged parent. They advise asking for help when needed and watch for signs of depression. Staying educated, trusting one's instincts, and connecting with other caregivers will help the family cope with this often stressful time.
Geriatricians in Honolulu focus on improving the older patient's functional ability as well as their quality of life. Just as a pediatrician specializes in the care of children, a geriatrician specializes in the care of the elderly.
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