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Eldercare Review | Wednesday, February 08, 2023
Aging causes or intensifies many health problems. Physical and mental declines complicate these problems for geriatric patients. Geriatric patients' optimal health and wellness is more than just a medical issue. Health professionals and caregivers must work together to provide effective care for geriatrics.
Elderly patients and other aging loved ones often need specialized health and wellness services, which are known as geriatric care. Geriatric patients' optimal health and wellness is more than just a medical issue. Health professionals and caregivers must work together to provide effective care for geriatrics.
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Aging causes or intensifies many health problems. Negative health episodes become more likely or frequent when the patient is unable to manage their own care. When treating their patients, geriatricians and their families come to terms with the need for additional care, they also focus on their emotional needs.
What Is the Importance of Geriatric Care?
People face new challenges to their health as they grow older. Eyesight, hearing, and coordination begin to deteriorate as perception systems decline. Neurological problems often start or begin to worsen. Daily activities become more of a strain and bad health days become more common.
Longer Lifespan
In 1950, the life expectancy for newborns was 68 years in North America. Today it has shot past 78 years. The 85 and over population is projected to more than double in the next 20 years. It is inevitable that older adults will require more care, even for people who have always been healthy. There are more acute episodes. Managing chronic conditions requires more attention or medication. Emerging conditions begin to show the first symptoms.
Urinary Incontinence
In this condition, a person is unable to reliably control their bladder and leaks by accident. The result is embarrassment and isolation. Although this disease can affect anyone, it is more common among older people and women. Incontinence can often be cured or controlled with the help of an experienced geriatrician. Incontinence is a serious issue that requires medical attention and can be caused by mobility problems.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep apnea occurs when people stop breathing during sleep. The disease sometimes causes people to stop breathing hundreds of times during the night, sometimes for as long as a minute. Untreated sleep apnea can have serious and life-threatening consequences. Heart disease, strokes, depression, high blood pressure, and automobile accidents have all been linked to a lack of restoring sleep. Also, the geriatrician can assist with diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease that may contribute to sleep apnea.
Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis
With age, bones become weak and fragile due to osteoporosis. Osteoporosis increases the risk for broken bones during a fall, particularly in the hip and wrist. Most of those who suffer from osteoporosis and the consequences of these falls are women. Of people aged 50 and older, women are far more likely to have an osteoporosis-related fracture in their lifetime. In all, some 40% of women will experience a broken bone due to osteoporosis during their lifetime. Osteoporosis treatment involves slowing down or stopping bone loss and finding the right level of pain relief. Additionally, they can provide insight on diet and exercise to help manage the condition.
As cartilage wears down from age, joints can become painful and swollen, leading to osteoarthritis. Most commonly, osteoarthritis affects the hands, knees, hips, lower back, and neck. Pain can range from mild to debilitating. This disease is diagnosed by a review of symptoms, a thorough physical exam, and if needed, additional imaging and lab tests. The geriatrician can refer you to a rheumatologist when the condition becomes difficult to manage.
Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Eventually, it can stop the ability to carry out even the simplest activities for daily living. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia among the elderly. Symptoms of the disease often first appear in the mid-60s age range. Memory problems are typically one of the first signs, though actual symptoms may vary from person to person. However, a number of lifestyle risk factors that can contribute to Alzheimer’s or intensify it, can be modified. The geriatrician can help provide guidance to patients and their families for dealing with this disease.
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease is a disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. Because the disease is progressive, symptoms start gradually. Tremors are common, but the disorder also commonly causes stiffness of the limbs or slowing of movement. In the early stages of Parkinson’s, the patient’s facial expression may look altered. Balance during walking and daily activities becomes impaired. Parkinson’s disease symptoms worsen as the condition progresses over time. Geriatric care will usually make a first diagnosis based on symptoms and an exam. While there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, there are medications that can help manage the symptoms.
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