As we age, there are many wonderful things to look forward to. We all want to remain healthy, active and independent so that we can enjoy the highest quality of life possible. Some of us are working longer and need to ensure that we have the energy and focus required to perform our jobs. When we retire, we finally have the chance to enjoy all the things that were put on the back-burner during our working years. Having the opportunity to enjoy travel, grandchildren, gardening, or the myriad of other pleasures in life depends on how we care for our health. Without a clear strategy and geriatric medicine, our ability to stay vibrant and enjoy life diminishes.
What Makes Geriatric Medicine Different?
An important part of planning for our future health and independence is selecting a physician who is specifically trained to care for our medical, social and emotional needs as we age. Geriatric medicine is a specialty branch of medicine for physicians who want to become experts in caring for the older patient. This extensive training enables them to address the specific and sometimes complex needs of their patients.
What are the Benefits of Geriatric Medicine?
Some of the benefits of this type of medicine include:
• A geriatric medicine professional is trained to deal with complex medical conditions. As an example, you may have problems with your heart and kidneys at the same time. It is important that the and staff physician monitor these issues individually while also understanding how they affect each other.
• Older patients react differently to medications than their younger counterparts, and patients on multiple medications may experience problems with drug side effects and interactions.
• When other specialists become a part of your medical care, a geriatric specialist becomes your “team manager” and coordinates your care to ensure that you are getting the care that you need from all of your team members.
• Experts in geriatric medicine are trained to look for and prevent conditions which could lead to frailty and loss of independence.
Because we live in a youth-oriented society, you may feel uneasy about the term geriatric medicine, but you shouldn’t be. This type of medicine is designed to help you! Make an appointment at Herrera Medical Group in Flower Mound to learn more about the services we offer. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
