Older patients have different needs from younger patients. This is why there is a subspecialty, with Board Certification, called Geriatrics.
What kind of unique needs do older patients have? Older patients require more communication to determine that they are understanding recommendations which are being made. They require more evaluations to make certain that the setting of their care at home is beneficial for them. Since compliance with taking medications may be poor, medicine use and pill logs must be checked. Elderly people require evaluations of their capability of self-care, their walking, their balance, and their mental thinking. Often elderly patients cannot communicate effectively the nature of their symptoms, and caregivers must accompany the elderly when they are getting care.
It is not surprising, therefore, that internists
and family practitioners sometimes give inadequate care to geriatric patients. It is important that the “gap” between caring for younger patients and older patients is adequately being met by a physician office.
Here are my recommendations:
For more information about taking care of the elderly, see my book “Surviving American Medicine.”