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Geriatric patients often experience physical and mental decline, making them more susceptible to injury and certain diseases. Heart disease, bone and joint problems, vision and hearing loss, urinary incontinence, memory problems, and depression are common concerns. Geriatric patients require different treatments and tests due to their age.
There are many common characteristics that many geriatric patients share. As people get older, they often lose some physical and mental functions and are at a higher risk of injury and certain diseases. While many conditions and medical problems can affect patients of any age, geriatric patients often require different treatments and tests due to their age.
Heart disease and other cardiovascular problems are a major concern for elderly patients. Older age weakens the heart and the arteries become harder due to plaque buildup and loss of flexibility. These problems make it harder for the heart to pump blood around the body, which can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, and other serious problems. Geriatric patients should make an effort to eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, and have their blood pressure and heart checked regularly so their doctors can promptly diagnose and treat any heart problems.
Older patients often suffer from bone, joint and muscle-related health problems, such as arthritis and osteoporosis, which limit their ability to move and make them more susceptible to injury. Many medications prescribed to the elderly increase the risk of falling, so these patients should be monitored closely and safety precautions followed to prevent dangerous falls that could result in bone fractures. Calcium and vitamin D help promote bone strength, while exercise and stretching help improve flexibility and muscle strength.
Vision and hearing tend to decline with age, so geriatric patients usually require more frequent eye and ear exams than younger patients. Wearing glasses or contact lenses or using hearing aids can help older adults compensate for the partial loss of these senses. The elderly also often require more frequent dental visits due to brittle teeth or gum problems caused by less salivation.
Urinary incontinence is a common concern for geriatric patients. While some bladder control problems are a result of aging, older adults who experience these problems should discuss them with their doctors to rule out serious age-related underlying conditions, such as prostate problems in men. Lifestyle changes and medications can help many geriatric patients gain control of their bladders.
The neurons in the brain responsible for memory begin to decline with age, so many geriatric patients have memory problems that can get progressively worse or develop into more serious conditions, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s. Depression is another major concern among geriatric patients. Many older people develop depression due to the loss of loved ones, health problems, lack of fulfillment they once received from work or raising children, or simply as they get older.
The care and treatment of elderly patients requires that physicians and other health care professionals take into account the age of their patients. Skin thinning due to aging can make it more difficult for health care workers to draw blood or administer intravenous medications. Doctors who treat the elderly often have to explain things more clearly and slowly to make sure their patients understand. Healthcare providers also need to be diligent in checking for drug interactions before prescribing new drugs to older patients because many of them are already taking other drugs.
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