How Does Geriatric Care Differ From Regular Care?

If you’re over the age of 65, it might be time to consider getting geriatric care from a geriatrics specialist. As you consider whether seeing a geriatrics specialist is right for you, you might be wondering how getting geriatric care differs from traditional primary care.

Primary care and geriatric care have some similarities, but geriatric care is different in that it offers the personalized, dedicated care that seniors need to enjoy a high quality of life in their golden years. Thomas Nguyen, MD, of Nguyen Medical Group in Boynton Beach, Florida, explains the differences between geriatric and regular care.

What is regular care?

Regular care is what you might also know of as primary care, which adults of any age can access. Primary care is a type of preventive and acute health care that keeps you healthy and is your first point of contact when you develop an illness.

At primary care appointments, you can expect Dr. Nguyen and the Nguyen Medical Group clinical team to monitor your health with preventive health screenings, health and lifestyle advice, and treating chronic and routine medical problems.

Primary care is an essential service for people of every age to get and stay healthy and detect potential illnesses or chronic conditions at an early stage or before they’ve even developed.

How is geriatric care different from regular care?

In geriatric care, you receive the same types of quality services you get from traditional primary care. Additionally, geriatric care focuses on the needs of senior-aged adults, usually ages 65 and older.

If you’re considering accessing geriatric care services, here’s what you can expect from your medical care.

Senior health issues are prioritized

As you age, your medical needs are often different from when you were younger. For some older adults, the aging process can cause your body to lose strength and resiliency compared to your younger years, and there can be some changes to your cognitive functioning.

Our geriatric specialists are specially trained in spotting common health issues that emerge in older adults. If we detect these problems, we’re also highly experienced in getting you the best care to treat or manage your health needs.

Chronic care management

Getting older means you’re more likely to have one, two, or more chronic conditions. In geriatric care, chronic disease management is an important part of our care.

Our team helps you manage one or multiple chronic conditions in a manner that is straightforward and as simple as possible to follow. We work with you and any caregivers you have to ensure you are able to follow the routine, and ensure that it is as noninvasive as possible.

Supporting mobility and access to healthcare

Mobility can be challenging for some older adults. You might find it harder to walk for long periods of time or need a walker or wheelchair to get around.

To keep your body as strong and healthy as possible, our clinicians focus on maintaining your strength and flexibility to help you stay active. If getting around is difficult for you, our team offers telehealth visits for many medical needs, so you won’t need to leave home to get care.

Maintaining your quality of life

Our geriatric services focus on helping you live the highest quality of life possible. In your senior years, we aim for you to maintain a level of health that helps you get around and stay engaged in life and your community.

If you’re an older adult who has chronic health conditions, mobility challenges, uses caregivers for support, or has concerns about your medical needs and health as you age, geriatric care offers a level of specialized care. To schedule an appointment with our geriatrics specialist, contact us today.