As people age, the body undergoes gradual changes that can affect its health. Many older adults also manage more than one long-term health condition, and this may make routine care more complex. Geriatric care is a branch of medicine designed to address these needs in a coordinated way.
What Is Geriatric Care?
Geriatric care focuses on the health and well-being of older adults, typically those aged 65 and older. Individuals may begin receiving this type of care earlier if they have multiple chronic conditions or experience changes in physical or cognitive function. Rather than concentrating on a single organ or disease, this care takes a whole-person approach. The provider looks at how different health-related factors relate to one another, and they can develop a plan that reflects the patient’s overall situation and personal goals.
What Does It Address?
Geriatric care addresses a range of concerns that become more common with age. Older adults may live with chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis. When several conditions are present at once, a provider can help coordinate how each is managed; this helps make sure that one treatment plan does not conflict with another.
Medication management is another focus. Older adults may take several prescription and over-the-counter medications, and this raises the likelihood of interactions or side effects. A geriatric provider can review a patient’s full medication list. This care may also look at functional ability, meaning a person’s capacity to manage daily activities. Changes in these areas can indicate a need for additional support or adjustments to a care plan.
What Services Fall Under It?
Geriatric care includes a variety of services tailored to each patient. A common starting point is a comprehensive assessment, which reviews medical history, medications, and other metrics of health. The results help the care team build a plan that reflects the patient’s needs and priorities. Other services that fall under this type of care vary, and they may include:
- Preventive Care: Screenings, vaccinations, and wellness visits suited to older adults
- Chronic Condition Management: Ongoing monitoring and coordination for long-term conditions
- Routine Medication Review: Periodic evaluation of prescriptions to identify duplications or interactions
- Coordinated Care: Communication with specialists, therapists, and other providers
Older adults and their families do not need to wait for a health emergency to seek geriatric care. An evaluation may be appropriate after a hospital stay, a fall, a noticeable change in memory or mood, or a decline in the ability to live independently. Transitions, such as returning home from a hospital, are periods when coordinated oversight can help keep medications and follow-up instructions consistent.
Seek Professional Medical Care
Geriatric care also centers on the patient’s own goals, such as remaining at home or continuing specific activities. Family members can take part in care discussions, so everyone shares a clear understanding of the plan. If you or an older relative is experiencing changes in health or daily function, contact a primary care provider or geriatric medicine specialist to learn which services may be appropriate.
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