GERIATRIC SERVICES IN SUM ULTIMATE MEDICARE

(Geriatric care is also known as Elderly Care )

 Assessment of elderly patients as per Compressive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) scales.

 Identification of Geriatric Syndromes (old age related issues) by applying validated scales.
 Elderly associate problems (Geriatric Syndrome) are thoroughly assessed by trained professionals :
o Dementia (memory loss),
o Depression,
o Functional decline,
o Gait & Balance instability,
o Bowel & Urinary incontinence,
o Frailty and Malnutrition
 Investigations as required depending on the patient’s co-morbidities and geriatric syndrome.
 Interventions by the multidisciplinary team including Geriatrician, Physiotherapist, Occupational
Therapist, Geriatric Nurse, Nutritionist and Medical Psychologist.
 Assessment of home healthcare situations and care giver issues by our Medical Social Worker.
 Advising and recommending about required vaccinations in elderly patients.

Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on healthcare of the elderly. It aims to promote health and
to prevent and treate diseases and disabilities in older adults. This term was proposed in 1909 by Dr. Ignatz
Leo Nascher, former chief of clinics in The Mount Senai hospital OPD (new York City) and called “father of
Geriatrics” in United States.

Dr NAscher, published a paper in Medical journal in 1909 and a text book in 1914.

Mother of Geriatrics Dr Majori Warren emphasised that rehabilitation was essential to the care of older
people. With her experience as physician in London work house infirmary, she developed a cncept that only
keeping the older people fed until they died is not enough. They needed diagnosis, care, treatment, and
support.

Geriatrics, is a product of Nation health Service (NHS) UK. It was given due recognition as a speciality and
started under the aegies of Nation Health Service in 1947.

Padma Shri Awardee Dr.V.S. Natarajan, is regarded as “Father of Geriatrics” in India, and has established a
Geriatric Foundation, which works extensively in both Geriatrics and Gerontology.

Gerontology: The scientific study of the biological, psychological and sociological phenomena associated
with old age and aging.

Geriatric Population Trends In India

2011 census has highlighted that the Indian age structure is undergoing rapid changes. India’s elderly
population has already crossed 100-million mark during 2011. It is expected that this number will increase
to more than 300 million by 2050. India elderly population is expected to cross under 5 children by 2020.

Are we prepared?
Geriatrics Facilities:

 Geriatric Psychiatry (focus on dementia, delirium, depression afd other psychiatric disorders)
 Cardio-geriatrics
 Geriatric nephrology
 Geriatric rehabilitation
 Preventive Geriatrics

Geriatric Syndromes:

 Pressure ulcers
 Incontinence
 Falls
 Functional decline
 Delirium

Geriatric Health Problems:

 Cardiovascular diseases
 Diabetes
 Osteoarthritis and Joint problems
 Impairment of special senses
 Hypothermia
 Cancer
 BPH
 Diabetes
 Accidental falls

Issues:

 Current healthcare system lacks adequate number of trained medical, paramedical persons in
geriatric medicine. It adversely affect healthcare of the elderly.
 Mobile health service for the elderly and ambulance services are limited in rural and peripheral
areas making the healthcare difficult to reach.
 Older people do not have a very effective healthcare system in our country.
 Most of the geriatric OPD services are available in tertiary care hospitals in urban areas.
 Limited access in rural areas.

Suggestions

 Geriatric care to be accepted as a part of primary health services.

 Care at rural areas should be strengthened.
 Screening camp and mobile clinics for reaching out to elderly population
 Involve NGOs