Geriatrics is the branch of medicine focused on the health care of older adults, typically those aged 65 and older. It aims to promote health, prevent and treat disease, and maintain functional independence in aging individuals.
👨⚕️ What Is a Geriatrician?
A geriatrician is a medical doctor who specializes in caring for older adults, particularly those with:
- Multiple chronic conditions
- Cognitive decline or dementia
- Mobility issues or risk of falls
- Polypharmacy (taking many medications)
- Functional decline
🔍 Key Areas of Focus in Geriatrics
- Chronic disease management
- Diabetes, heart failure, COPD, arthritis, etc.
- Cognitive health
- Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, delirium
- Medication management
- Reducing harmful drug interactions and simplifying regimens
- Mobility and fall prevention
- Mental health
- Depression, anxiety, social isolation
- End-of-life and palliative care
- Advance directives, hospice, goals of care
🛠️ Common Geriatric Assessments
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA):
- Physical health
- Mental status (including memory tests)
- Functional ability (ADLs/IADLs)
- Social support
- Nutrition
- Medication review
🤝 Geriatrics vs. Gerontology
- Geriatrics = medical specialty (clinical care of older adults)
- Gerontology = scientific study of aging (includes biology, psychology, sociology)
Geriatric care is increasingly important due to the growing elderly population. It emphasizes quality of life, functional ability, and patient-centered care rather than just disease treatment.