About Geriatric Medicine
Key Highlights
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Holistic Patient-Centered Care: Focuses on the whole person, not just individual diseases, considering physical, mental, and social well-being.Expertise in Complex Care: Geriatricians are specially trained to manage multiple chronic conditions (multimorbidity) and the unique pharmacology of older adults (polypharmacy).Functional Independence Focus: A primary goal is to preserve or improve the patient's ability to perform daily activities and maintain independence for as long as possible.listrongComprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA):/strong Utilizes a structured, multi-disciplinary evaluation to create a tailored, coordinated care plan./lilistrongPreventive and Proactive Approach:/strong Emphasizes fall prevention, vaccination, screening for cognitive decline, and advanced care planning./li/ul
Who is this surgery for?
- Patients aged 65 and older, especially those 75+ or with increasing frailty.
- Presence of multiple chronic medical conditions (e.g., heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis).
- Experiencing geriatric syndromes such as memory problems, confusion, frequent falls, dizziness, or incontinence.
- Taking multiple medications (polypharmacy) where review and management of drug interactions and side effects is needed.
- Noticeable decline in the ability to perform daily activities (Activities of Daily Living - ADLs) or a recent hospitalization.
- Need for coordination of care among various specialists, therapists, and community services.
- Planning for future care needs, including discussions about goals of care and advanced directives.
How to prepare
- Compile a complete list of all current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements.
- Bring medical records, recent test results, and contact information for other treating physicians.
- Prepare a list of all health concerns, symptoms, and questions, noting their frequency and severity.
- Consider bringing a family member or caregiver to the appointment to help provide history and understand the care plan.
- Be ready to discuss daily routines, living situation, diet, mobility, and any support systems currently in place.
- There is typically no fasting or specific physical preparation required for a consultation.
Risks & possible complications
- Geriatric medicine is a consultative and management specialty; the 'risks' are generally related to the conditions being managed rather than the consultation itself.
- Potential for complex decision-making in situations with multiple, sometimes competing, health priorities.
- Challenges in medication management, including risk of adverse drug reactions or interactions when adjusting prescriptions.
- Emotional distress when discussing sensitive topics like cognitive decline, loss of independence, or end-of-life preferences.
- Possible need for further diagnostic tests, which carry their own minimal risks (e.g., blood draw, imaging).
Recovery & hospital stay
- Recovery in this context refers to the ongoing management and monitoring process following the development of a care plan.
- Follow the personalized care plan developed with the geriatrician, which may include medication schedules, therapy referrals, and lifestyle modifications.
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments to monitor progress, adjust treatments, and address new concerns.
- Implement recommended safety measures at home (e.g., grab bars, improved lighting) to prevent falls.
- Engage with recommended support services such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or home health aides.
- Family and caregivers should be involved in understanding and supporting the care plan to ensure its success.
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Typical hospital stay: 0 days (Outpatient consultation)
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Expected recovery time: Ongoing management
Frequently Asked Questions
If you are considering geriatric medicine in India, these questions and answers can help you make a confident, informed decision.
Top-rated hospitals in India with geriatric medicine departments and experienced surgeons are ideal for this procedure. Use MediFyr to compare facilities, reviews, and doctor profiles before you decide.
Look at the doctor’s years of experience, hospital association, patient reviews, and how often they perform geriatric medicine. MediFyr helps you compare geriatric medicines and book consultations online.
The overall cost depends on hospital category, surgeon’s experience, room type, implant or device used (if any), length of stay, tests, and post-operative care. Our team can help you get cost estimates from multiple hospitals before you decide.
Procedure cost in other countries
Here is an overview of how the estimated cost, hospital stay, and recovery time for geriatric medicine compare across other countries where we have data.
Robert Verma, 78, is a retired...
Robert Verma, 78, is a retired history professor who lives alone since his wife passed away two years ago. He has been increasingly forgetful, missing bill payments and appointments. His daughter noticed he'd lost weight, seemed unsteady on his feet, and his once-immaculate home was becoming cluttered. He was referred to a geriatrician by his GP after a routine check-up revealed mild anemia and slight dehydration. The geriatrician recommended a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), a holistic evaluation of his medical, psychological, and functional capabilities. Over two appointments, a team including the doctor, a nurse, and an occupational therapist assessed his memory, medication management, home safety, nutrition, and mobility. They discovered his forgetfulness was partly due to poorly managed hypertension medication causing dizziness, and his weight loss was from difficulty cooking. The treatment plan involved simplifying his medication regimen, arranging a weekly meal delivery service, and setting up automatic bill payments. Six weeks later, Robert is more engaged, his weight is stable, and he feels a renewed sense of control. His emotional journey moved from stubborn independence and fear of losing his home to relief and gratitude for a plan that supports his autonomy.
Geriatric Medicines for Geriatric Medicine
Explore experienced geriatric medicines who regularly perform geriatric medicine and provide pre- and post-operative care in India.
- 13 Years Experience
- Geriatric Medicine
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 16 Years Experience
- Geriatric Medicine
Manipal Hospital Old Airport Road, Bangalore
- 20 Years Experience
- Geriatric Medicine
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon
- 3 Years Experience
- Geriatric Medicine
Artemis Hospital Gurgaon, Gurgaon