Elder Care Guide and Information

As our bodies age it’s ability to process and tolerate
powerful prescription drugs dwindles. A doctor who
understands this critical point is a major asset when
it comes to maintaining optimum health for your parent.

Primary care physicians come in 3 varieties.

General and family practitioners
They provide care for a broad array of medical issues.

Internists
They practice exclusively in internal medicine. Some
internists get additional concentrated training in a
particular sub-specialty. Cardiologists are internists
with a specialty in heart disease.

Geriatricians
These doctors specialize in the care of older adults.
Geriatricians are either family physicians or
internist with extra training in the medical needs of
the elderly.

A geriatrician “gets” the issues of an aged body. They
know that older bodies react differently to medical
treatments. They are in short supply, so it can be
hard to find one.

When you find a doctor who focuses his or her
practice on seniors you have someone who can be an
important health care partner.

It’s a fine point. Most adult children are not aware
of it. Thought it might be helpful for you to know.

Filed under: Elder Care