Professional Geriatric Care Services
The geriatric care management team at a reliable healthcare center would be comprised of orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, pain management physicians, neurologists and other specialists. These specialists collaborate to develop a comprehensive care plan for each older adult which would typically include the following:
• In-depth assessment
• Care plan development and implementation
• Ongoing care management
• Follow up and monitoring of care
• Elder care counseling and support
• Medication management
• Crisis intervention
• Consumer education and advocacy
Geriatric medical care services include a close monitoring of the patient’s health, and diagnosis, treatment prevention of health diseases to pain management, medication management, and follow-up services.
Geriatric Pain Management
Older adults, especially those aged 65 or older may face chronic/acute pain from various conditions such as musculoskeletal disorders, falls, hip fractures, back trauma or other medical conditions. Managing this pain is crucial to improve their mobility and independence. Unmanaged/poorly managed pain in the elderly can lead to sleep disturbances, loss of strength and mobility, functional loss and increased dependency, weakened immune function and healing, exacerbation of cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and increased healthcare costs.
Healthcare centers provide pain management services to help older adults manage acute and chronic pain. Comprehensive pain assessment with physical examination, review of medical history, lab and diagnosis tests helps physicians identify the true cause of pain. Pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic measures are then implemented to treat pain such as:
• Interventional therapies
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitation
• Exercise
• Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
• Administration of analgesics, NSAIDs, narcotic medications, muscle relaxants, and anti-convulsants and antidepressants
• Injections
Fall Prevention Program
Falls are a major cause for injuries in the elderly. Falls can be prevented. Healthcare centers offer slip/fall prevention programs to help older adults reduce their risk of falling, improve balance and gait, and enhance their independence. This program is intended to improving the strength, mobility and balance in the elderly by assessing and modifying the physical and environmental factors that cause falls. Tips are also offered to modify the environmental factors that can increase risk of falling such poor lighting, uneven floors, uneven steps, unsturdy handrails, and so on.
Only a reputable healthcare center can provide a personalized geriatric care management services to meet specific requirements.