Americans are living longer than ever before, which is placing a newfound emphasis on the best and most effective medical care for the elderly. Just like pediatricians specialize in caring for children, geriatricians focus on the health and wellness of older adults. Since the elderly are far more likely to suffer from complex medical conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, and heart disease, the expertise of a geriatrician can prove very valuable for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management.
The Main Elements of Geriatrics
The body experiences significant physiological changes as it ages, so geriatricians seek to promote the health of the elderly by preventing and treating the diseases and disabilities that commonly occur in old age.
For example, geriatricians understand that relatively mild problems like a fever or dehydration – from which young people can easily rebound – often lead to major complications in older adults that eventually become life threatening. In addition, since many older adults take two or more medications to control various health conditions, geriatricians are specially trained to ensure that patients are not prescribed medications that will adversely react with one another.
Finding the Right Geriatric Physician
Since many older adults want to remain independent as long as possible, turning to a qualified and experienced geriatric physician can play a major role in helping the elderly stay active, healthy, and functional. Suncoast Family Medical Associates provides the most critical components of geriatric care like immunizations, preventative exams, and long-term disease management.