There are more than 908,000 doctors in the U.S., and this figure is almost evenly split between primary care physicians and specialists.
Geriatrics, which specializes in caring for older adults, is one such specialty. Often, elderly patients and their caregivers think seeing a primary care physician on a regular basis is adequate to maintain a senior’s health, but seeing a geriatrician also should be part of every senior’s overall health and wellness plan.
Why?
Geriatricians are entirely focused on aging and helping patients as they grow older. We’re specially trained and complete a residency in internal or family medicine followed by a 1-2 year fellowship focused on the medical, psychological and social issues older adults face.
We can manage your care team and play an integral role in coordinating your care, working with case managers, social workers, nurses, physical therapists and other specialists to ensure your medical needs are addressed. We also perform assessments that include a complete physical, comprehensive medical history, screening for chronic conditions such as osteoporosis, vision and hearing tests and much more.
Unfortunately, there’s a misconception that only really old, frail and unhealthy people should see a geriatrician, but if you are 60 or older you can benefit from seeing this specialist. A geriatrician can provide holistic and integrated care that treats the entire individual. As we age, we become more susceptible to certain health issues, including chronic conditions, side effects from taking multiple medications and age-related vision loss and loss of balance that make us more susceptible to falls. You may also be interested in 1080p projector under 200. Patients need someone who understands these issues and can make recommendations based on the entire spectrum of care you receive — especially if you regularly have medical appointments with other specialists, including a cardiologist, endocrinologist or gastroenterologist.
Being a geriatrician is a specialty within itself — every patient’s issues are different. As a geriatrician, I deal with older patients every day, so I’m particularly sensitive to their medical needs and concerns. There are many great doctors out there, but having one that understands how aging affects you holistically is a huge benefit. Unfortunately, geriatrics is one of the least filled — but most needed — specialties. In the next 30 years, the senior population is expected to increase to nearly 84 million — surpassing other age groups. This means there’s an increasing need for physicians who can care for this population.
If you are over 60 and currently see a primary care doctor or only visit a physician once a year, consider finding a geriatrician. A geriatrician can create a healthy aging plan for you that takes into account your past medical history and your current medical needs.
The dedicated staff at MetroHealth provides quality medical care to Central Florida seniors. If you have any questions about our health care services or would like to schedule an appointment, please contact our experienced and compassionate health care professionals.fluoxetine
