Geriatrician

Geriatric medicine is a medical speciality concerned with assessing and treating older people with complex health problems. These often involve a combination of physical, psychological and social problems. The doctor who focuses entirely on these patients is a geriatrician.

What is a geriatrician?

A geriatrician is a doctor who specialises in geriatric medicine. A geriatrician examines and treats people with health problems caused by ageing. Increasing age can also negatively affect symptoms. This concerns older people with several health problems that do not fall within a single medical speciality.

Not every older patient therefore sees a geriatrician. Osteoarthritis, for example, mainly occurs in older people. However, if this joint problem is the only complaint, an orthopaedic surgeon is the appropriate specialist.

A geriatrician becomes involved when, in addition to osteoarthritis, the patient also suffers from, for example, memory loss. As a result, someone may forget how to walk with crutches after an operation and therefore cannot be left alone.

What does a geriatrician do?

The older someone becomes, the greater the chance of developing an age-related disease. Examples include Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and balance problems. The risk of developing several conditions at the same time also increases. This often results in complex clinical pictures. It can also be difficult to explain exactly what is wrong.

It is the geriatrician's job to find out what is wrong and suggest a possible solution or treatment. Unfortunately, a full recovery is not always possible. The main goals are then to maintain or improve independence and quality of life.

Common problems discussed during a geriatrician's consultation include:

• Physical problems, such as:
  • Walking problems and falls.
  • Incontinence (bowel and bladder problems).
  • Eating problems.
• Mental health problems, such as:
  • Memory loss.
  • Confusion.
  • Behavioural problems.
  • Depression.
• Social problems, such as:
  • No longer being able to pursue a hobby.
  • No longer being able to live independently at home.
  • Having few social contacts because of illness.
  • Using many medicines at the same time.
• A combination of symptoms.

How do you see a geriatrician?

As with other medical specialists, the GP refers patients to a geriatrician. Depending on the symptoms, an appointment is made at the hospital's outpatient clinic. This might be the falls clinic for walking and balance problems or the memory clinic for forgetfulness.

In more serious or acute cases, someone is admitted to hospital for further examination and treatment.
Someone may also already be in hospital for another problem, for example if they wake up confused from the anaesthetic after an operation. In that case, the geriatrician is also called in.

Because geriatric patients often find it difficult to put into words what is wrong, plenty of time is taken to discuss their symptoms and wishes. This takes place in the presence of family, carers or other people close to the patient.

Where does a geriatrician work?

A geriatrician works in a hospital or nursing home and is part of a multidisciplinary team. This team also includes other doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dietitians, psychologists, nurses and activity coordinators. Such a team is important for addressing all the problems properly, so each patient receives the care they need.

How can you or someone close to you prepare for the first visit to a geriatrician?

• Bring someone from your immediate circle, such as a partner, close friend or adult child. They can listen and remember everything that is said. It may also be necessary for someone else to speak on your behalf.
• Make a list of questions at home beforehand. Also write down symptoms affecting physical, mental and social functioning, your medical history, operations and therapies you have undergone, and the medicines you use.
• Think about the treatment goals you want to achieve and what you absolutely do not want to happen.