Getting old happens to the best of us, and it’s a natural part of life. But what happens when the process of aging starts to affect our day-to-day lives? That’s where geriatric care comes in.
What Is Geriatric Care
Geriatric care is a specialised form of healthcare that focuses on the medical and social needs of the elderly, with a particular focus on those aged over 65. It’s a broad term that encompasses many different aspects, from providing physical care and helping with activities of daily living to providing emotional support and helping manage chronic health conditions.
Geriatric care is an important part of keeping the elderly healthy and happy and ensures that the elderly are able to live independently for as long as possible. Geriatric care also provides invaluable emotional and psychological support, helping the elderly to stay connected to their family, friends and community.
Who Handles Geriatric Care
Geriatric care is a multidisciplinary field of healthcare that involves a range of medical professionals, such as geriatricians, nurses, social workers, and psychologists
- Geriatricians are specialist doctors who are trained to diagnose and manage problems associated with aging, such as dementia, arthritis, and osteoporosis.
- Nurses and social workers provide support to elderly patients, helping them to manage their medication, monitor their health, and adjust to life changes.
- Psychologists create individualised treatment plans to meet the needs of elderly patients and help them cope with the psychological challenges they may experience.
What Are the Top 6 Benefits of Geriatric Care
Geriatric care offers many benefits to seniors, including improved quality of life, better health outcomes, and more effective management of chronic conditions. Here are the top six benefits of geriatric care:
1. Improved Quality of Life:
Geriatric care can help to improve the quality of life for seniors by providing them with personalised care and support. Geriatricians can assess the patient’s overall health, lifestyle, and medical history to create a personalised care plan that is tailored to the individual’s needs. This can help seniors maintain their independence and enjoy a better quality of life.
2. Prevention of Diseases:
Geriatric care can help to prevent many age-related diseases from developing. By assessing a patient’s overall health and lifestyle, geriatricians can identify potential health risks and provide advice on how to reduce them. This can help to preventage-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s, osteoporosis, and heart disease.
3. Improved Health Outcomes:
Geriatric care can help to improve the overall health of seniors. Geriatricians can assess a patient’s individual health needs and provide advice on how to manage chronic conditions and other age-related health issues. This can lead to better health outcomes and improved quality of life.
4. Medication Management:
Geriatric care can also help to improve medication management for seniors. Geriatricians can assess a patient’s medication needs and provide advice on how to manage them safely and effectively. This can help to reduce the risk of drug interactions and other medication-related problems.
5. Emotional Support:
Geriatric care can also provide emotional support for seniors. Geriatricians can help to identify any emotional issues that may be impacting a patient’s overall health and provide advice on how to manage them. This can help to improve overall mental health and reduce feelings of isolation.
6. Transition Support:
Finally, geriatric care is also important because it helps elderly patients transition to a new living situation, such as moving into a nursing home or assisted living facility. This can be an invaluable resource in helping elderly patients adjust to their new living situation and providing them with the support they need to thrive.
Conclusion
Geriatric care is an important area of healthcare for older people, providing much-needed assistance and support to those who need it most. While geriatric care may not be the most glamorous or exciting of topics, it is absolutely essential to ensure that our elderly population is looked after in the best possible way. So, if you want to make sure that your elderly relatives areas safe and comfortable as possible, make sure you look into geriatric care today!