Question 1

what is the definition or description of: geriatrics?

Accepted Answer

See below: This can be too confusing. The corrected answer is the that geriatric medicine deals with aging process whether or not it is normal. It also deals with chronic medical illness that helps to slow down the progression of disease as well as appropriate medication and disease management/treatment.  And mostly important, it allows find way to keep aging population healthy as possible.

Question 2

does medicare cover for geriatrics?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If you are over 65 & no longer working medicare can become your primary insurance assuming you are eligible 
under 65 you may qualify if you are disabled or on dialysis.
Note medicare is only primarily for treatment issues not diagnostic
read medicare handbook.

Question 3

how is anti-aging medicine (aam) different from geriatrics? is anti-aging medicine (aam) different from geriatrics?

Accepted Answer

Nutrition: Aam deals with biochemical aspect understanding of nutritional issues/deficencies of each medical condition. Geriatrics deals with prevention, promotion, preservation and independence but little training on nutrtional management. Both aam and geriatrics do manage what we call successful aging.

Question 4

at what age should you consider seeing geriatrics doctor?

Accepted Answer

65 or older: A geriatrician is a physician with additional training in caring for the elderly. An internist or family doctor; a geriatrician generally sees individuals that are frail or have complex medical issues. Therefore, some geriatricians may see younger adults too  that have multiple medical problems that affect their function(like those with MS or als).

Question 5

please help docs! where can i find info for inservice on uti in geriatrics/ltc?

Accepted Answer

Many sources: American geriatrics society has extensive info for ltc issues and their own journal. Many nursing journals also will provide information on this common problem in long term care residents.

Question 6

geriatrics doctors: are there specific physical exercises you recommend to senior or physical metrics they should track (i.e. balance/strength)?

Accepted Answer

Walking not running: Lately moderate wt lifting has been getting more interest.-- my physician father used to say" live a life  of moderation, ; it will be a longer one".

Question 7

can having a stroke cause dementia in geriatrics?he remembers long ago,but will repeat the same story twice in a day& not remember he already told you

Accepted Answer

Yes: Often times a stroke will effect a certain part of brain where the stroke occurred (death of brain tissue that used to to perform a behavior). In this case, short term memory is lost. Keep under neurologist care &amp;try to find a day program to keep him active and be patient when he repeats himself. He truly doesn't remember &amp;does not do it to upset you. Also educate yourself on progress of dementia.

Question 8

geriatrics: when looking for skilled nursing care center for a 90 year old frail but social parent, what are the most important considerations?

Accepted Answer

Informed decision: Visit facility, ask about ratio of patients to nurses, cnas; look at rooms -- see if they're private, semi-private, etc. Compare nursing homes by rating-- medicare website is one of them: http://www.Medicare.Gov/quality-care-finder/#nursing-home-compare
also, when a nursing home has been surveyed by  a state oversight agency, it should have the results of survey readily available for you to look.

Question 9

geriatrics md: how could daughter sign mom up for nursing home without consent and then deny medical sibling access to info?

Accepted Answer

Need a bit more info: What state are we talking about?  Does daughter have durable power of attorney?  What do you mean when you say "medical sibling"?  The best thing may be for you to discuss this with a lawyer who deals with these issues on a regular basis.

Question 10

geriatrics md: how can nursing home refuse to share care plan with woman's child citing hipaa even before she moves in? older nonmedical sib has poa.

Accepted Answer

HIPAA privacy law: The nursing home is following the law as written. In order for them to share information, they must have a signed disclosure from their client. Most poa's do not include language giving access to medical information. The child an ask their mother if she is willing to sign a disclosure form.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Geriatrics

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: geriatrics?

A member asked:

Does medicare cover for geriatrics?

A member asked:

How is anti-aging medicine (aam) different from geriatrics? is anti-aging medicine (aam) different from geriatrics?

A member asked:

At what age should you consider seeing geriatrics doctor?

A member asked:

Please help docs! where can i find info for inservice on uti in geriatrics/ltc?

A member asked:

Geriatrics doctors: are there specific physical exercises you recommend to senior or physical metrics they should track (i.e. balance/strength)?

A member asked:

Can having a stroke cause dementia in geriatrics?he remembers long ago,but will repeat the same story twice in a day& not remember he already told you

A member asked:

Geriatrics: when looking for skilled nursing care center for a 90 year old frail but social parent, what are the most important considerations?

A member asked:

Geriatrics md: how could daughter sign mom up for nursing home without consent and then deny medical sibling access to info?

A member asked:

Geriatrics md: how can nursing home refuse to share care plan with woman's child citing hipaa even before she moves in? older nonmedical sib has poa.

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?