The geriatrician is the doctor specialized in the management of the health of the elderly, by treating diseases or problems common at this stage of life, such as memory problems, loss of balance and falls, urinary incontinence, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression, as well as complications caused by the use of medications or excessive examinations.
This doctor will also be able to guide ways to prevent the onset of diseases, as well as help achieve healthy aging, in which older people can remain active and independent for as long as possible.In addition, geriatric follow-up is a good option for older people.who are cared for by several doctors of various specialties and end up being confused with so many medications and tests.
- Generally.
- Consultation with the geriatrician takes longer.
- As this doctor can perform several tests.
- Such as those that evaluate the memory and physical capacity of the elderly.
- In addition to performing a more general assessment.
- Which involves.
- In addition to physical health.
- Also emotional and social problems.
In addition, the geriatrician may better understand changes in body structure and metabolism of the elderly body, better indicating the appropriate or inappropriate remedies to be used at this age.
The recommended age to go to the geriatrician is from 60 years, however, many people seek to see this doctor even earlier, at 30, 40 or 50 years, mainly to prevent problems in the elderly.
Thus, the healthy adult can be consulted with the geriatrician, to treat and prevent diseases, as well as this elderly man who is already fragile or has sequelae, such as being bedridly or without recognizing the people around him, for example, like this Specialist can identify ways to reduce problems, rehabilitate and give more quality of life to the elderly.
The geriatrician may make consultations in medical offices, home care, long-term care centers, or nursing homes, as well as in hospitals.
The main diseases that geriatrician can treat include
The geriatrician may also treat older people with non-curable diseases through palliative care.
It is important to remember that geriatrics and gerontology are different, although geriatrics is the specialty that studies, prevents and treats diseases of the elderly, gerontology is a more complete term because it is the science that studies human aging and includes the work of doctors and other health professionals such as nutritionist, physiotherapist , nurse, occupational therapist, speech therapist and social worker, for example.