Geriatrician. (n):
A geriatrician is a physician who specializes in geriatric medicine, focusing on the unique health needs of older adults, especially those aged 65 years and up. (Bing definition).
And this from Microsoft Copilot:
"Q:What is the difference between geriatricians and gerontologists?
A:The difference between geriatricians and gerontologists is as follows:
Geriatricians are doctors who specialize in elderly care and focus on treating medical conditions in older patients.
Gerontologists are researchers who study the physical and mental process of aging to understand its impact on individuals and populations overall.
Gerontology includes the broader social, psychological, and environmental aspects of aging, while geriatrics focuses on the health of the aging body."
And another fact about
geriatrics from the web:
"Most seniors tend to see several different doctors ... the PCP (and possibly) ... a cardiologist, an orthopedic surgeon, a neurologist, a urologist or a psychiatrist."So what about
adding a geriatrician to the list?
"Like pediatricians, geriatric physicians are unique in that they specialize in diagnosing and treating patients during a particular stage of life rather than a particular area or function of the body. Essentially a geriatrician is a generalist with expertise in age-related physical and mental health conditions."
"So, should a senior continue using their family doctor to head up their medical care team? Is it beneficial to add a geriatrician to this team? Or should a geriatric specialist take over the lead role?"
"As with most decisions related to elder care, this issue isn’t black and white. It depends on the quality of the relationship a senior has with their current primary care physician, the complexity of their health status and whether they have access to a local geriatrician. (Sadly, there is a severe shortage of healthcare professionals in this subspecialty, so it may be difficult to find a geriatric physician who is accepting new patients)."
"Sometimes older adults who do not have any serious health problems decide to stay with their primary care doctors. Often, they have been going to the same PCP for many years and have developed a rapport with them." From:
"Does a Senior Need Both a Geriatrician and a Primary Care Physician?"
https://www.agingcare.com/articles/how-does-a-geriatrician-complement-the-services-of-other-doctors-104967.htmAnd:
"As you age, you’re likely to experience new health challenges that are common in older adults. This usually means multiple medical problems that can be tough to manage at the same time. And as these conditions add up, so do the medications needed to treat them. This usually means multiple, competing side effects and increased potential for drug interactions. And the social issues at home can become increasingly complex."
"Most geriatricians complete an additional fellowship training program after completing their residency. They learn more advanced care in medical issues that are common later in life." Examples of areas where a geriatrician can be of particular assistance:
1. Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
2. Management of multiple medications, including stopping or reducing them (polypharmacy and de-prescribing medications).
3. Mobility issues, like falling.
4. Urinary and bowel incontinence.
5. End-of-life-care discussions and planning.
"Many geriatricians are primary care physicians who treat people in a regular clinic. But they can also care for people in special settings like hospitals, nursing facilities, and homes."
"A geriatrician is usually a board-certified internal medicine or family medicine physician who has additional training in geriatric medicine. Most geriatricians complete an additional fellowship training program after completing their residency. They learn more advanced care in medical issues that are common later in life ... Many geriatricians work as primary care physicians. This means that, in addition to geriatric care, they’ll also oversee the general health of their patients."
"But a geriatrician often approaches care slightly differently from a typical primary care physician. Geriatricians use a framework known as the “5 M's”:
1. Mind: Memory changes are common as you age. A geriatrician will be on special alert for any memory issues and has extra training in the diagnosis of conditions like dementia.
2. Mobility: Falls are a leading cause of injury in older adults. Geriatricians pay extra attention to risk factors for falls. They may also be more proactive about fall prevention. They can advise you on the best exercise programs and recommend the best walking devices. And they know when to prescribe physical and occupational therapy.
3. Medications: Geriatricians are trained to recognize medications that may be harmful for older adults. They can help reduce medications or select the safest option or one that has fewer side effects.
4. Multicomplexity: Many older adults have more than one medical problem. Sometimes one medical issue, or the medication to treat it, can negatively affect another medical problem. Geriatricians are trained to care for people with multiple medical problems while considering all competing factors.
5. Matters most: Beyond treating medical conditions, geriatricians take special care to learn about your personal health goals. Geriatricians can help you explore your best quality of life as you get older. Based on these conversations, a geriatrician can design a care plan to best meet these goals." (Boldfaces in following quote are mine) :
"Not every older adult needs to see a geriatrician. In fact, research suggests that only about 30% of adults 65 and older really need one. And that’s good news, because there are relatively few geriatricians in the U.S. compared to the number of older adults ... (and) .... Many primary care providers are taking excellent care of people who are older than 65. And even without formal training in geriatrics, they have a lot of experience and knowledge about the unique care for older adults."
From:
"Should You See a Geriatrician? Here’s How to Decide"
https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/senior-health/who-should-see-geriatricianFor more information on geriatrics and geriatricians, see
https://www.americangeriatrics.org/("Founded in 1942, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) is a nationwide, not-for-profit society of geriatrics healthcare professionals dedicated to improving the health, independence, and quality of life of older people.")For a geriatricians directory by state, see
https://www.healthinaging.org/find-geriatrics-healthcare-professional So at some point do we need to consider switching to a geriatrician? If so, how and when?
As stated above, it's not a black-and-white issue, and it may be that one's current Family Practice doctor is doing a satisfactory job for us anyway. So there is no need, at least for now, for us to consider seeing a geriatrician.
Or it may be, as also mentioned above, that it's become difficult in any case to find a geriatrician in our area who is taking new patients.
But it may happen that at some point our current doctor may bring up, on his own, the issue of perhaps looking into the possibility of adding a geriatrician to our list of providers, if he believes there is reason to do so, and he knows of a local one who is available.
But the point of this thread has simply been to increase awareness that this option may exist, and in some cases may be worth pursuing, for some.
Perhaps, again for some, another, future, tool in the toolbox for maintaining our health.