Understanding the Role of Geriatric Doctors to Assist Elderly Health

As we get older, physical and mental health will decrease. This causes the elderly (elderly), namely people over the age of 60 years, to be more susceptible to disease. If you have an illness, the elderly are advised to see a geriatric doctor.

Geriatric doctors are specialists who deal with various health complaints experienced by the elderly. Geriatric doctors are in charge of helping the elderly maintain their health, in order to minimize the risk of developing aging. Geriatric doctors are also responsible for handling various health problems suffered by the elderly, both physical and mental health.

Understanding the Role of Geriatric Doctors to Assist Elderly Health

Various Conditions that Geriatric Doctors Treat

Conditions in the elderly handled by geriatric doctors include:

1. Diseases associated with decreased body function

There are various types of diseases that often occur in the elderly, ranging from inflammation of the bones and joints or osteoarthritis , heart disease, cancer , senile diseases (such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease), bone loss or osteoporosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, to stroke.

2. Decreased mobility (immobilization)

Decreasing mobility or immobilization makes the elderly need the role of geriatric doctors to improve their quality of life. Geriatric doctors will help elderly patients to be able to stand, walk, move the body, and carry out activities in a safe manner.

3. Cognitive disorders

Cognitive disorders in the elderly are sometimes unavoidable. This cognitive disorder can be caused by a disease, drug side effects, or hormone and metabolic disorders.

4. Side effects of consuming certain drugs

Geriatric doctors are tasked with recognizing the side effects and interactions of drugs consumed by the elderly. This is because as you age, body functions and metabolism tend to decrease, so that the elderly can be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.

Treatment or Treatment that Geriatric Doctors Can

Before determining treatment or care for elderly patients, geriatric doctors will generally evaluate the patient's health condition first. From the results of the evaluation, the geriatric doctor will collaborate with other medical teams to determine the right treatment or treatment, so that the quality of life of older patients is better.

The medical team that is usually involved in the care or treatment of the elderly is a specialist medical rehabilitation, nutritionists, physiotherapists, speech therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and nurses.

Treatment or care that is generally given by geriatric doctors and medical teams is:

Therapy physical or physiotherapy

Geriatric doctors will advise elderly patients to undergo physiotherapy to improve and maintain flexibility, balance and mobility. Physiotherapy is usually given to elderly patients suffering from arthritis, stroke, osteoporosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease.

Psychotherapy

Working with a psychiatrist and psychologists, geriatric doctors will try to improve the mental health of elderly patients. This is because a decrease in health, limited bodily functions, and stress can reduce the mental health of the elderly.

Management of drug administration

Certain medical conditions can cause the elderly to consume medicine in large quantities. To minimize the side effects of consuming too many drugs, geriatric doctors can re-evaluate drugs consumed by the elderly, and sort out which drugs need to be consumed and not.

When to Visit a Geriatric Doctor?

Even though there are no age standards, people over the age of 60 and above are advised to see a geriatric doctor if:

  • Have certain medical conditions, such as arthritis, heart disease, asthma, bronchitis, Alzheimer's disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, pneumonia, injury, or obesity.
  • Have a weak physical condition or experience a decrease in body function.
  • Consuming several types of drugs.
  • Experiencing nutritional problems, including weight loss for no apparent reason.
  • Having difficulty in carrying out daily activities.
  • Needing health rehabilitation in the long run.

What to Prepare Before Meeting a Geriatric Doctor?

Before visiting a geriatric doctor, you should prepare a doctor's referral letter first so the geriatric doctor knows what treatment or treatment needs to be given.

In the referral letter usually listed the patient's health history in detail and the therapies needed to maintain or improve the quality of life of the patient.

Undergoing advanced age, you are encouraged to always adopt a healthy lifestyle, to minimize the risk of developing various diseases. A healthy lifestyle that is recommended for the elderly is to maintain weight, eat food according to the doctor's advice, and routinely do light exercise so that the body stays in shape.

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