Aging isn’t inherently a disease, but it does change how the body responds to health challenges. As people grow older, medical care often becomes more complex.
For different older people, symptoms can look different, medications interact in unexpected ways, and small health issues can quickly affect independence and quality of life. This is where geriatric care plays a critical role.
A geriatrician serves as the “quarterback” of a senior’s healthcare team, and we will explore all the reasons why you should consider seeing a specialist.
Who is a Geriatrician (and What Do They Do)?
A geriatrician is a medical doctor who has completed a residency in internal or family medicine, followed by specialized fellowship training focused exclusively on the unique health needs of older adults.
With our age, our organ systems, including the kidneys, heart, and brain, undergo significant physiological shifts. These changes can often cause common illnesses to present with atypical symptoms.
For instance, while a young person with a urinary tract infection (UTI) might experience pain or fever, a senior might only show signs of sudden confusion or a change in balance. A geriatrician is trained to look past the surface and recognize these subtle, age-related signals.
Beyond physical health, a geriatrician also focuses on “geriatric symptoms” that involve conditions like frailty, sleep disorders, and malnutrition, issues that don’t fit into a single disease category but have a significant impact on an older person’s life. A geriatrician ensures that medical interventions align with the patient’s personal goals and values.
Does Geriatric Care Differ from General Primary Care?
A lot of the older people, aka geriatric patients, have a primary care physician, especially if they have a confirmed diagnosis of aging-related chronic conditions. So, primary care remains essential to healthcare at every age.
However, as people grow older, health issues multiply and become more complex and harder to manage without specialized care.
Experienced and qualified geriatricians are trained to address challenges that are especially common in later life, such as multiple chronic illnesses, increased sensitivity to medications, memory concerns, and functional limitations. Their approach focuses on thorough assessments and thoughtful care planning.
Another key difference between geriatric care and general primary care is the emphasis on function and independence. Not just lab results and imaging studies, geriatricians are just as concerned with whether a patient can safely live alone, manage medications, or perform daily activities.
What Comprises the Core Responsibilities of a Geriatrician?
To better understand why you need a geriatrician, you need to be aware of their core responsibilities, essentially being aware of what they do.
The following are a few of the core responsibilities of a geriatrician:
1. Manage multiple chronic conditions
A lot of the older adults live with more than one chronic condition, diseases that require comprehensive management and ongoing care and treatment. This can include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, or chronic lung disease.
Often, treating these conditions individually can lead to conflicting recommendations and an overwhelming number of medications, something that older people might struggle with. This is where geriatricians come into the picture, offering a balanced approach to the treatments.
They prioritize interventions that provide the greatest overall benefit and minimize harm. This often involves simplifying the treatment plans and focusing on what matters most to the patient.
2. Medical review and optimization
Medication related problems are one of the most common causes of hospitalizations in older adults. As the body ages, it tends to process drugs differently, often coming with an increased risk of side-effects and interactions.
With our elderly care services at Dallas, our geriatricians at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness carefully review all medications, including prescriptions, over the counter drugs and supplements too. Our specialists will assess whether each medication is necessary and make adjustments to the care plan as needed.
3. Cognitive and memory health
A significant concern surrounding aging seniors and their families is memory changes and significant decline in cognitive health.
With experienced geriatricians, you have their expertise and training to evaluate cognitive symptoms, distinguish between normal aging and conditions like dementia, and identify reversible causes of confusion such as infections or medication effects.
The earlier the issue is detected and diagnosed; it usually allows for better planning, appropriate treatment and access to supportive resources. Not just that, it also provides the patients with a voice in future care decisions while they are still in good health to express their preferences.
4. Functional assessment and mobility
With age, there is a significant impact on strength, balance, vision, and coordination. Geriatricians work with senior patients and their families to better assess and understand how these changes impact their daily activities, including walking, dressing, cooking, etc.
When these functional decline symptoms are detected early, it becomes easier for the elderly care specialist to recommend interventions like physical therapy, assistive devices, or home safety modifications to prevent risks of falls or emergency hospitalizations.
Beyond these, geriatricians also focus on preventive care, prioritizing a thoughtful approach that avoids medicalization while still supporting healthy aging.
When Should a Senior Consider Consulting a Geriatrician?
Geriatricians are equipped to manage a variety of complications including:
- Falls and balance problems
- Memory loss and dementia
- Depression and anxiety in older adults
- Frailty and unintentional weight loss
- Urinary incontinence
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic pain
- Polypharmacy and medication side effects
If you are experiencing any or multiple of these issues, it could be a sign that you’d benefit from consulting geriatric specialists, much like ours at Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness.
Seeing a geriatrician does not mean giving up independence or preparing for decline. In fact, early involvement often helps seniors stay active and engaged longer. With the right care specialist, you will feel heard and understood.
What to Expect During a Geriatric Consultation?
With the important role a geriatrician plays in the life of elderly, it is common to wonder what to expect during the first consultation.
A first visit with a geriatrician is often more comprehensive than a typical doctor’s appointment. It may include:
- A detailed medical history
- Review of all medications and supplements
- Assessment of memory, mood, and thinking
- Evaluation of mobility, balance, and daily functioning
- Discussion of goals, preferences, and concerns
At Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness, having access to this information helps us form the foundation for a care plan tailored to the patient’s needs and priorities.
Supporting Healthier Aging Through Specialized Care!
The golden years should be characterized by vitality and peace of mind, not by the stress of navigating a fragmented healthcare system. A geriatrician offers the specialized knowledge, patience, and holistic vision required to manage the unique challenges of the senior years.
At Lakewood Primary Care and Wellness, we are dedicated to providing compassionate, evidence-based geriatric care.
Contact us today to schedule a comprehensive geriatric consultation in Dallas!
