As people age, their health often becomes fragile, so doctors who treat geriatric patients must deal with a host of concerns about the elderly. One of the major concerns in geriatric health is dementia, which can seriously impact a patient’s cognitive abilities. Learning how to manage dementia at the onset can help improve an elderly person’s quality of life. An increased risk for type II diabetes is another geriatric health concern. Serious injury due to falls is a common occurrence in the elderly, and a major concern in geriatric health.
Maintaining geriatric health is vital as one advances in age. Health issues and concerns may vary with the individual, although many elderly individuals share one common complaint: arthritis. Inflammatory conditions of the joints can be extremely painful and debilitating. Coping with arthritis is especially difficult for the elderly, as it can threaten their independence and quality of life.
Geriatric health care often involves treating patients with cardiovascular disease. The risk of coronary heart disease increases with age. Factors such as poor diet and obesity in elderly patients may contribute to heart-related issues.
Impaired vision is another other main concern in geriatric health. Vision problems or even blindness may result as a complication from diabetes. The elderly are more likely to develop these complications if diabetes is not properly managed.
The effects of aging can also contribute to hearing loss. This is why it is more common for the elderly to rely on the use of hearing aids. Other treatment options, such as cochlear implants may help elderly patients with hearing loss.
Addressing mental health issues may be a fundamental part of geriatric care. Many elderly individuals suffer from depression, primarily due to lack of social interaction. Feelings of isolation may occur when an elderly person is housebound. In extreme cases of depression, suicide among the elderly is a concern.
Other mental health concerns in geriatric medicine are memory loss and dementia. Cognitive reasoning may be compromised as a result of dementia due to aging. Advanced dementia may cause symptoms such as delusions and hysteria. Alzheimer’s disease may be mild to advanced, and generally requires treatment such as medication and cognitive therapy.
Nutrition is a chief concern for many elderly individuals. In many cases, an elderly person who lives alone or is housebound may not receive adequate nutrition. Lack of proper nutrition may also be due to the inability to cook for himself. Providing home care for an elderly individual who cannot look after himself may be a solution.