Commonly used terms for healthcare for the elderly · Geriatrics · Geriatric Care Manager · Gerontologist · Incontinence · Primary Care Provider (PCP) · Provider · Medicaid. The term “geriatric” is often misunderstood, but it plays a crucial role in healthcare. Its scope is specific to the care of the elderly, unlike other medical practices. Geriatric care focuses on the unique needs and challenges of older adults, and sets it apart from standard adult care.
This discipline encompasses a wide range of services, from preventive care to the treatment of complex medical conditions common in old age. Respite services provide short-term care for an older adult at home, in a health care facility, or at an adult day care center. This age group is more susceptible to chronic diseases, polypharmacy (the use of several medications) and geriatric syndromes, such as incontinence, delirium, and frailty. Understanding “geriatrics” within healthcare requires understanding how aging affects health and daily life, and how these changes dictate different approaches to treatment and medical care.
Conversely, geriatric care is tailored to the needs of older people, who often have multiple chronic conditions and unique psychological and social needs. Medicare covers hospitalizations, doctor visits, prescription drugs, and other health care-related needs. Geriatrics refers to medical care for older adults, an age group that is not easy to define precisely. Geriatric patients, often classified as elderly people, usually older than sixty-five years of age, present challenges of unique healthcare.
For example, the Comprehensive Care Program for the Elderly (PACE) sets the age of eligibility starting at 55 for people who meet the requirements for care in a nursing home. Geriatric medicine plays a vital role in treating chronic diseases, preventing disabilities, and ensuring the dignity and quality of life of older people. For example, a geriatrician, a doctor who specializes in caring for the elderly, may focus more on treating chronic diseases and less on aggressive interventions. They manage medical conditions, help with activities of daily living, and provide support for problems such as cognitive decline and the management of chronic diseases. This comprehensive approach ensures that older people receive care that meets their specific needs.
The experience of geriatricians and their approach to care ensure that the health needs of older people are met with compassion and competence. There are many types of services available to help meet the long-term care needs of an older person living in your home. Geriatrics, as a term and field, is rooted in the comprehensive care of people who advance in years.
