As you age, your health needs shift and change. Once you enter the later stages of life, geriatric care offers a way to stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. Geriatric care is an area of focus for Sharon Schaaf of Mountain Desert Health in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Booking a geriatric care visit is as simple as a phone call or a few moments online.
Request an AppointmentWhat is geriatric care?
Geriatric care is an area of medical practice focused on meeting the needs of older men and women. There’s no specific age when you should transition into geriatric care, but some indicators can suggest that you and your family could benefit from these services.
Some of the signs it might be time to consider geriatric care include:
- You begin to experience significant frailty or impairment
- Your health needs become complex and require multiple specialists
- Your family or caregivers begin to feel stress surrounding your level of care
- You reach or exceed the age of 75
One of the benefits of choosing a primary care practitioner with advanced training in geriatric care is that you don’t have to worry about whether it’s time to find a new provider. Dr. Schaaf completed post-graduate education and training in geriatric care, and her patients enjoy a smooth transition once the need arises.
What are the benefits of geriatric care?
Geriatric care focuses on helping you reach and maintain the highest possible level of health as you move through retirement age and beyond. Older people often have more advanced care needs than those in middle age, and it’s vital to screen for common chronic health issues and provide treatment as early as possible.
Taking a proactive approach to geriatric care helps reduce the risk of adverse outcomes that can dramatically alter your quality of life. For example, improving your balance reduces your risk of falling, which can significantly limit your independence.
Geriatric care also helps families support an aging loved one. Caregivers and loved ones often experience significant stress as they try to navigate age-related health issues. Having professional support can relieve some of that stress.
What can I do to prepare for my geriatric care visit?
Preparation helps you make the most of your visit. If you have specific questions or concerns, write them down to make sure nothing gets overlooked.
Bring in a list of all medications you’re taking, including dosage and the time of day you take them. Include any supplements, as these can sometimes interact with certain medications.
Finally, it’s often helpful to bring a friend or loved one in with you. It’s easy to miss something during a health visit, and having a second set of ears is a wonderful idea.
When you’re ready to schedule a geriatric care visit, call Mountain Desert Health today or book online at your convenience.