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American Medicine

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

Elderly patients need special care

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:

• Elderly patients should seek out primary care physicians and specialists who are experienced in giving good care to the elderly, and are committed to spending more time with the elderly if it is required.
• Primary care physicians should do adequate evaluations for elderly patients, including mental health surveys to be certain that patients are not depressed, sleep surveys to make certain patients have adequate sleep, nutritional surveys to make certain patients are eating well, as well as evaluations to be certain that the home setting is sufficient to support the patients.
• Cognitive disorders are common, and memory evaluation should be performed.
• If a Geriatric specialist is available, considering having such a physician be the primary care physician for elderly people.
• Younger family members caring for elderly patients should review the responsibilities of taking care of the elderly individuals and should be observant of problems that are developing.

For more information about taking care of the elderly, see my book  “Surviving American Medicine.”