What is a Geriatric Medicine Doctor? Understanding Their Role in Senior Healthcare & When to See One

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.

The “5Ms” of Geriatrics

Geriatric medicine doctors focus on five main areas of aging, known as the Geriatrics 5Ms:

• Mind: Focuses on maintaining mental activity, managing dementia, managing and preventing delirium, and evaluating and treating depression and mental health issues in seniors.
• Mobility: Focuses on promoting balance, maintaining the ability to walk, and preventing falls or other common injuries.
• 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.
• Multi-Complexity: Focuses on managing multiple health conditions and assessing the senior’s living conditions as they are impacted by age.