As people age, they have different medicals needs and requirements that should be treated by a physician who has extensive knowledge of elderly conditions and knows how to take care of them. Just like a pediatrician is specialized in child health and knows how to treat health conditions in infancy, a geriatrician is a physician who has additional training in treating elderly people. They know how to diagnose and treat age-related conditions and help you prevent health conditions. They have the same education as primary care doctors but undergo 1 to 2 additional years on geriatrics specialization.
What Do Geriatricians Treat?
Geriatric doctors understand and know how to treat conditions that affect the elderly. They have the skills and training necessary to treat patients with multiple conditions. These conditions can include Alzheimer’s, muscle weakness, fatigue, heart conditions, diabetes, and arthritis. A geriatrician can also diagnose and treat age-related health conditions. They can help prevent and manage health issues that can arise later in life. These health issues could include memory loss, falls, frailty, and incontinence.
When It Is Time To Make The Switch to a Geriatrician?
Are you unsure whether you should start seeing a geriatrician? Here are some cases that may require you to get assistance from one.
You are Taking Multiple Medications
Elderly people may have a harder time metabolizing medications. When they take too many, they may experience dangerous side effects a sometimes the medication for one condition can affect the second one. A geriatrician will manage your medication and determine which one you should start taking.
Geriatricians have a wide knowledge of medications for age-related conditions and provide assistance and medication reconciliation to their patients regarding the side effects of the drugs they are taking and will minimize the use of drugs as much as possible to prevent the negative effects of taking too much medication.
You Are Experiencing Functional Decline
Memory loss is part of the aging process but if you are noticing that it is disrupting your life you should consult a geriatrician and get a screen test for dementia. A geriatrician can identify mental decline and differentiate it between normal aging and the signs of a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s. They can help anticipate any problems the elderly may experience in the future. Additionally. they help to develop a care plan as well as provide assistance to caregivers.
You Have Multiple Diseases Related to Aging
If you are having conditions such as arthritis, muscle weakness, urinary incontinence, or other conditions related to aging it would be helpful to switch to a geriatrician near you. Geriatricians can often help patients pick up on signs of age-related issues before they potentially become serious and more difficult to treat.
Geriatrician in Chicago: Join Dedication Health
Dedication Health is a concierge medical practice in Chicago. We have several internists and specialists on staff. We provide our members a holistic approach to promote healthy aging through personalized concierge primary care, preventive medicine, and specialist care.
Dedication Health members receive enhanced care across the board. As well as a number of perks ranging from 24/7 access to a physician and total coordination of care. To learn more about our concierge practice or to reserve your spot, complete our online form and we will get back to you ASAP. Additionally, you can reach us by calling 847-986-6770 now. Dedication Health is conveniently located at 710 Oak St, Winnetka, IL 60093 in Chicago’s North Shore.
For more information, check out the links listed below.
Internists Are the Best Choice for Disease Prevention and Management in Adults
Geriatrics: When Should I Look for a Geriatrics Practice Near Me?