Geriatric care is a specialized field of medicine and healthcare focused on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of illnesses and health issues in older adults. This comprehensive approach addresses the unique physiological, psychological, and social needs of the elderly, aiming to help them maintain independence, manage multiple chronic conditions, and enhance their overall quality of life and well-being. It is provided by geriatricians and other healthcare professionals and can take place in various settings, including homes, hospitals, and specialized institutions. Key Aspects of Geriatric Care Specialized Approach: Geriatric care recognizes the complex and unique health challenges that come with aging, such as increased susceptibility to disease and the potential for multiple chronic conditions. Comprehensive Care: It involves a holistic approach, considering not only a patient's medical conditions but also their emotional, psychological, and social needs. Tailored Treatment: Care plans are individualized, taking into account the older adult's specific health status, functional capabilities, and personal preferences. Focus on Independence: A primary goal is to help seniors maintain their independence and autonomy for as long as possible. Management of Conditions: Geriatric care is crucial for managing chronic illnesses, which are common in older adults, and for addressing age-related functional declines. Who Provides Geriatric Care? Geriatricians: These are medical doctors who specialize in treating older patients and have expertise in the conditions and health complications common in old age. Geriatric Nurses: These nurses are trained to cater to the specific needs of elderly individuals, providing care in various environments. Interdisciplinary Teams: Geriatric care often involves a team of professionals, including doctors, nurses, and other specialists, to provide coordinated care. Where Geriatric Care is Provided Home-Based Care: Geriatric care can be delivered in the comfort of an older adult's home, providing assistance with daily living and personal care needs. Hospitals and Institutions: Specialized hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions also provide geriatric care for more complex conditions or when intensive support is required. Geriatric Care - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics Geriatric care is defined as a specialized approach to healthcare that addresses the unique needs and challenges of the older popu... ScienceDirect.com What is Geriatric Care? - Portea Medical Geriatrics care or geriatric medicine is an area of expertise that is based on enhancing health care for aged people. It endorses ... Portea Medical Geriatric care in India: A long way to go - PMC With demographic transition underway in India, the elderly population is projected to rise to 12% of the total population by 2025.

1. GERIATRIC
CARE
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2.  The care of aged is
called geriatrics or
clinical gerontology
 The study of the
physical &
psychological changes
which are incidental to
old age is clinical
gerontology
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3. It is a progressive and generalized
impairment of body functions resulting in,
loss of adaptive responses to stress and
increasing the risk of age-related diseases.
People more than 60 yrs are considered
elderly.
Old age is not a disease but a normal and
inevitable biological phenomenon.
3

4.  Problems in elderly
are multi- faceted
and often a single
problem may be
the result of a
complex chain of
decomposition of
body functions.
4

5. Physical problem
Psychological
problems
Social problem
Economical
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6.  Cardio-respiratory problems- High Blood
Pressure, Syncope, Heart Failure, Asthma,
Bronchitis
 Musculo-skeletal problems- Arthritis, fibroids,
osteoporosis, Loco-motor difficulty, weakness
of muscle.
 CNS Complaints- loss of memory, Altered
behavior, Parkinson's
 Gastro intestinal Problems- GERD, Peptic Ulcer,
Carcinoma of colon, constipation, impaired
metabolism
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7.  Genito-urinary Problems- UTI, incontinence,
Uterus Prolapse, Prostate enlargement
 Skin Diseases- Psoriasis, eczema, Alopecia,
wrinkles
 Endocrine Problems- Hypo/ Hyper glycemia,
Hypo/ Hyper Thyroidism, osteomalacia
 Eye / Ear Problems- senile cataract, Glaucoma,
Deafness,
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8.  Anxiety
 Sleep Disorder
 Altered Behavior
 Guilt (“Am I a burden to
others?”)
 Suicide tendency(“I wish I
could die???)
 Loss of Appetite
 Lack of Interest in society
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9.  Abuse:-
 Physical Abuse
 Psychological /emotional
abuse
 Sexual abuse
 financial abuse
 Neglect
 Dependency :- PHYSICAL,
FINANCIAL, FUNCTIONAL &
other dependency has a
major affect on the self
esteem of the old
 Insecurity :- Insecurity of
being abandoned by their
children
 Rehabilitation :- one of the
major problem
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10.  No or inadequate
source of income
 Total economical
dependence on
children for their
daily needs
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12.  The role of prevention in geriatrics is to delay
the onset of age-related decompensatory
problems of body functions.
 It includes-
 Primary prevention.
 Secondary prevention.
 Tertiary prevention.
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13.  Health Habits :-
 Healthy diet
 De-addiction of Alcohol & smoking
 Adequate Sleep
 Calcium & Vitamin D supplementation
 Immunization :-
 Influenza
 Tetanus
 Pneumococcal
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14.  Injury Prevention :-
 keep the floor dry
 keep the obstacles
away
 Bright light
 Flat Shoes
 Grabber in
Bathrooms
 low level Switches
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15. Screening
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 Screening helps in early detection of modifiable
risk factors and their adequate management.
 Hyper/hypotension, diabetes mellitus
 Dental problems
 Drug adverse effects
 Cancers
 Infections
 Nutritional deficiency states
 Eyes /ears

16. Early detection and
treatment is an
important step in
secondary
prevention of disease
and disability.
Regular screening is
Required.
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17.  It deals with rehabilitation and caregiver support.
 Rehabilitation is a problem solving process focused on
the patients functional abilities.
 Rehabilitation team includes; a physician, a
physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, a speech
and language therapist, a psychiatrist, a dietitian, a
nurse and a social worker
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18.  Hard interventions-
 drugs.
 physiotherapy.
 occupational therapy.
 aids and adaptation.
 speech and language
therapist.
 Soft interventions-
 advice.
 education.
 counseling.
 encouragement.
 listening.
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19.  Social attitude
 Physicians support
 Organization of “day
care centers”
 Hospitalization in c/o
chronic illness
 Counseling the
caregiver
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20.  Assessment of physical and mental capacity of the
elderly.
 Assessment of general quality of care
 Assessment of relation with the abuser
 Assessment of abusers for their problems
 Counseling the abusers
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21. Helpage India supports the following programs to make
life easier for older people:
1. Free cataract operation
2. Mobile Medicare units
3. Income generation and micro-credits
4. Old age home and day care centers
5. Adopt a grant parents
6. Disaster mitigation
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