Good geriatric care looks fundamentally different from standard adult medicine. It's a philosophy focused on function, quality of life, and the whole person, not just diseases. Care decisions are shaped around the patients goals, whether that's staying independent, avoiding hospitalization, traveling or minimizing medications.
Good geriatric care looks at the whole person, not organ by organ. Physical, cognitive, mood, mobility, hearing and vision, etc. are all assessed. Medication restraint is also the hallmark of good geriatric care. Regular medication reviews, stopping drugs that no longer help, using the lowest effective doses. The goal is to improve your life, not complicate it.
Longer office visits and fewer rushed decisions, proactive prevention of common geriatric problems like falls and social isolation can prevent a crisis from happening. Clear, honest communication between doctor and patient is key. The doctor MUST make sure the patient understands medications and procedures to follow.
Good geriatric care exists, but it is hard to find. Geriatric doctors are not in large supply, because good care of seniors requires more time be spent with each patient. Hospitals and insurance companies don't like that, so geriatric care is more expensive, and may not be available to all. It's sometimes hard to do this, but make sure that you understand everything before leaving the doctor's office. They may try to rush you, but try not to let them. Ask questions. Bring a list of concerns with you to the office, and make sure everything you want has been addressed. That's probably the best we can do for now.
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