Treating the Elderly

The specialized branch of medicine dealing with the elderly is known as Geriatrics. Care for the elderly can be quite different from the normal medical care given to an adult. The physiology and condition of a senior person is quite different from a normal full grown adult in his prime.

Most organs of the human body show a decline in old age and most of us frequently confuse aging effects with disease. Special medical training is required for treating the common problems manifested due to aging and Geriatrics aim to do just that.

Complications-Senior people may often be dehydrated due to a mild gastroenteritis or may develop complications following a fall. Their bones lose density rapidly making them more prone to fractures. This is particularly true for the elderly females who often have porous bones caused by osteoporosis.

Brain cells also tend to degenerate with age. Most elderly people tend to be forgetful or have memory lapses. Severe brain cell degeneration is often characterized by Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Round the clock care is often recommended by the geriatric in such cases.

Legal Precautions- Since the elderly cannot always take decisions for themselves, the geriatrics often have to deal with legal issues like the power of attorney, informed consent and other legal procedures before embarking on the treatment. Geriatrics may also have to counsel the care givers or the family of the senior person while treating the patient.

Drug Reactions- The elderly often have multiple issues with their medications. They are usually habituated to taking of over the counter drugs or resort to alternative treatment before contacting the geriatric. This results in drug interaction and may produce adverse drug reaction.

Difficulty in Communication- The geriatric has to be alert constantly and must possess the sensitivity in dealing with elderly patients. Most patients suffer from delirium and may have a problem in describing their symptoms to the practitioner. Others may simply be confused. The geriatric should be able to unravel the problem successfully and provide the elderly with quality care.