The Importance of Geriatric Care

• The purpose of trained caregivers and professionals in creating the best geriatric care for patients.
• Physical and memory problems have an increased tendency among the elderly.
• The importance of family involvement in geriatric care.

Old age can be a sensitive phase in a person’s life.  Elderly individuals’ minds and bodies do not function the same way they used to, creating a confusing and frustrating time for them.  For this reason and many others, proper geriatric care is important.

As people get older, they need more care and attention.  Geriatric care aims to sustain the elderly adult’s physical and mental health to keep them as happy and healthy as possible.  Sustaining this health also keeps the elderly as independent as long as possible.

Caregivers and Trained Professionals

Geriatric care is not only about prolonging the lives of the elderly, but the ability to do so while assisting the individuals in maintaining a high quality of life.  The geriatric population deserves the necessary care to continue living their lives as independently as possible without feeling like a burden to those around them.  Geriatric caregivers should not only focus on aiding the physical state of the elderly but also their mental well-being.

One of the ways caregivers can do this is by encouraging physical activity such as walking or yoga to those who are still able to do so.  These activities will not only improve balance and coordination which decreases the likelihood of falls, but they also increase endorphins and dopamine to the brain which boost happiness.

Since the elderly are more prone to serious health risks and diseases, it is essential that any health problems are identified and taken care of before they become dangerous, as the body may not be able to recover afterward.  Geriatric caregivers are trained to notice early signs of such health risks and prevent them from getting worse.  Incident-related injuries such as falls can also be quickly managed because the caregivers are readily available to help.

Long term care facilities are important for the elderly population when they are no longer able to care for themselves or no longer have a family to assist them.  Twenty-four-hour care is available in a welcoming environment and long term care facilities also provide peers for the elderly that enable them to form friendships with others in their age group.  Being able to interact with others who are in the same stage of life and experiencing the same things can give the elderly a sense of belonging and prevents feelings of loneliness.

Increased Tendency for Physical and Memory Problems

As one ages, the body becomes weaker and due to this, health problems become more of a challenge for the body to fight and fully recover.  The elderly are more prone to chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, or cancer and may not respond to certain medications.  Due to this, the elderly may need more constant and personalized care to be able to continue living as healthily as possible.

Dementia and other memory declines are also very common in the elderly population.  These memory deficits prevent the elderly from being able to care for themselves and remember things. Memory loss among these individuals creates the need for extra surveillance to ensure their safety.  Without the proper care, patients with memory issues can sometimes turn violent with those around them including family members and friends and can become dangerous to themselves and others.

Importance of Family Involvement

Most families want to be involved in their loved one’s care and want to offer the best options available; however, not all families have the time or resources available to take care of their aging family members.  They may be too busy with work, their own children, or other responsibilities to give their elderly family members the attention and care they need and deserve.

In many cases, being put in long term care is the best option for the elderly person and their family.  As difficult as this decision may be, the family can rest assured that their loved one is being cared for by trained medical professionals.

The Bottom Line

Geriatric care is an extremely important specialty of our healthcare system that cannot be overlooked.  As health care professionals, it is our responsibility to ensure that the aging population has access to the medical care they need in order to keep them healthy for as long as possible, and to maintain a high quality of life.

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