Introduction
There are 59.3 million seniors over the age of 65 in the US, and that number continues to grow every year.
As the population ages, an increasing number of people are seeking medical professionals who are focused on the unique health needs of seniors. Geriatric medicine doctors, also called geriatricians, are primary care physicians who are specifically trained to care for older adults.
But what does a geriatrician do, when should you see one, and how do they differ from a traditional primary care doctor? Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Geriatrician?
A geriatrician is a primary care doctor who specializes in the care of older adults, typically those aged 65 and older. After completing medical school and a residency (usually in internal or family medicine), geriatricians undergo additional training in geriatric medicine. Their focus is on promoting healthy aging, preventing disease, and managing complex medical conditions that are common in seniors. Geriatricians typically work in outpatient settings, skilled nursing facilities, or hospitals.
Unlike general practitioners, geriatricians are experts in aging-related conditions and understand how to address multiple health issues in the context of the physical, mental, and social changes that come with age. This is important because, according to the Cleveland Clinic, more than 50% of adults age 65 or older have three or more medical conditions that require monitoring and/or treatment.
Geriatricians usually work as part of a care team with other primary care physicians. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the role of a geriatric medicine doctor is to coordinate a senior’s overall care with other medical professionals and guide the patient through treatment choices.
Who Should See a Geriatric Medicine Doctor?
A senior could benefit from seeing a geriatrician if they meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Aged 65+ and managing multiple health conditions
- Have a disease associated with aging, such as dementia or osteoporosis
- Experiencing memory issues or functional decline
- Taking multiple medications
- Has experienced multiple hospitalizations
- Developing concerns about the overall quality of life
- Having increasing trouble with independence or activities of daily living (ADLs)
If any of these factors are applicable for a senior, a geriatrician can offer them tailored support that goes beyond traditional care.
What Does a Geriatrician Do?
Geriatricians provide comprehensive care that considers the full picture of a senior’s health and history. Their responsibilities often include:
- Diagnosing specific medical conditions
- Diagnosing and treating memory disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia
- Managing multiple chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis
- Addressing mobility and fall prevention to maintain independence and safety
- Prescribing medications and treatments
- Reviewing medications to avoid harmful drug interactions (a process known as polypharmacy management)
- Coordinating care with other healthcare providers, caregivers, and family members to ensure continuity in treatment
- Providing referrals to specialists for managing conditions like cancer or cognitive function
- Discussing daily functioning and helping decide when to make changes in daily life, such as the ability to drive or the need to move to a senior living community
- Helping manage advance directives like living will and power of attorney
This holistic approach to senior care helps patients stay healthier for longer.
What are the “5Ms” of Geriatrics?
Geriatric medicine doctors focus on five main areas of aging, known as the Geriatrics 5Ms:
1. Mind
Focuses on maintaining mental activity, managing dementia, managing and preventing delirium, and evaluating and treating depression and mental health issues in seniors.
2. Mobility
Focuses on promoting balance, maintaining the ability to walk, and preventing falls or other common injuries.
3. Medications
Focuses on reducing polypharmacy (or taking multiple medications at once), prescribing treatments based on need, and educating about side effects that can occur with certain medications.
4. Multi-Complexity
Focuses on managing multiple health conditions and assessing the senior’s living conditions as they are impacted by age, social concerns, and health conditions.
5. What Matters Most
Focuses on what is most important for seniors, including coordinating care planning in advance, managing care goals, and ensuring that the person’s individual health outcomes, goals, and preferences are reflected in treatment plans.
Benefits of Seeing a Geriatric Medicine Doctor
Seeing a geriatric medicine doctor offers many advantages for seniors, such as:
- Personalized treatment plans that reflect changes related to aging
- Improved quality of life and better symptom management
- Fewer emergency visits and hospital stays due to increased preventive care
- Expert guidance for caregivers, including support for long-term care planning
- A trusted advocate who understands the complexities of aging
- Trustworthy referrals and recommendations for other specialists and senior care resources, such as senior living advisors
By focusing on what matters most to seniors — safety, independence, and comfort — geriatricians help patients live their best lives at every stage.
Primary Care Physician vs. Geriatrician
Geriatricians and primary care physicians (PCPs) both provide general medical care, but they differ in training, focus, and expertise—especially as it relates to caring for senior citizens. Here are some key distinctions:
1. Specialized Training
- Primary Care Physician (PCP):
- May be trained in internal medicine, family medicine, or general practice
- Can see patients of all ages
- Geriatrician:
- A physician who is board-certified in internal or family medicine with additional training in geriatrics
- Specializes in the unique healthcare needs of adults typically age 65 and older
2. Focus of Care
- Primary Care Physician (PCP)
- Provides broad, general healthcare, including preventive care, chronic disease management, and referrals to specialists.
- May not have in-depth training in age-related conditions.
- Geriatrician:
- Manages complex age-related issues like dementia, falls, frailty, multiple chronic conditions, and polypharmacy (multiple medications).
- Prioritizes quality of life, functional ability, and independence in aging.
- Uses a holistic, person-centered approach, often involving caregivers.
3. Patient Population
- Primary Care Physician (PCP):
- Cares for a wide age range, from children to seniors, depending on their specialty.
- Geriatrician:
- Focuses primarily on older adults, especially those with complex or multiple health issues.
4. Role in the Healthcare Team
- Primary Care Physician (PCP):
- Acts as the first point of contact for general medical concerns and coordinates care with specialists as needed.
- Geriatrician:
- May work alongside a PCP or take over primary care for older adults with advanced needs.
- Often part of interdisciplinary teams, including nurses, social workers, and therapists.
How to Find a Geriatrician Near You
There are several ways to find reputable geriatricians and senior healthcare specialists near you. Some suggestions for starting the search include:
- Asking your primary care physician for a referral
- Using Medicare’s Physician Compare tool
- Checking with local hospitals, senior centers, or retirement communities for recommendations
- Contacting a senior living advisor like Senior Consulting Advisors for guidance
What to Consider When Choosing a Geriatrician
When choosing a geriatrician, consider the following elements:
- Qualifications and experience
- Familiarity with health conditions that are relevant to you
- Communication style, including clarity of explanations and comfort discussing sensitive topics
- Approach to family and caregiver involvement
- Accessibility and convenience, including office location, appointment availability, and the capability to use Telehealth if desired
- Insurance and cost, including acceptance of Medicare or private insurance plans
- Reputation and reviews from patients, community members, other medical professionals, or senior advisors
Conclusion
Geriatric medicine doctors play a critical role in supporting seniors through the aging process, especially in managing complex conditions, reducing safety risks, and helping patients thrive. If you or a loved one are navigating the challenges of aging, it may be time to explore how geriatric care can make a difference as you enter your later years.
Free Senior Care Guidance
Looking for help finding the right geriatrician or senior living option? Our no-cost senior living advisors are here to guide you every step of the way.
We are familiar with the best geriatric medicine specialists in Florida and can help you find the top-tier care you are looking for. And, if you need help finding an independent living, assisted living, or memory care community, we can help at no cost to you.
Call our senior advisors today at (800) 969-7176 or visit SeniorConsultingAdvisor.com to send us a message and get started on your journey to a healthier and safer life.
