In your 60s and 70s, your days might include pounding the tennis court, leading board meetings, or globe-trotting with your grandchildren — pursuits seemingly out of step with the notion that it might be a smart time to switch to a geriatrician.
But if you’re as proactive about your health as you are about the other areas of your life, a geriatrician may indeed be the ideal choice. These internists complete additional training in the care of people 65 and older, evaluating each patient’s “big picture” to tailor advice and interventions to changing bodies and social structures.
Indeed, a geriatrician — who’s likely to nudge you to tackle aging-related problems you might otherwise ignore — could be a better match for your outlook than a general practitioner, who may view older adults as winding down, says Dr. Suzanne Salamon, clinical chief of gerontology at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.
“Many people like it when we push them to get screening tests like bone density scans, colonoscopies, and mammograms, whereas other doctors might tell them they don’t need those anymore,” Dr. Salamon says. “We also prod people to get their hearing checked or try hearing aids — which so many are resistant to — because it makes such a huge difference in how they function.”
| Many want to age in place, but don’t prepare while the vast majority of people over 50 wish to keep living in their current homes as long as possible, a new poll suggests few have actually prepared for this “aging in place” ideal. Released in April 2022, the National Poll on Healthy Aging involved online and phone responses from 2,277 adults ages 50 to 80. It revealed that 88% reported that staying in their homes was “very” or “somewhat” important. But only 15% of respondents had seriously considered the modifications they might need to make to their homes to accommodate aging in place, such as installing bathroom grab bars or creating a first-floor master suite.” People really want to stay in their homes, where things are familiar,” says Dr. Suzanne Salamon, clinical chief of gerontology at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. “Some people in their 80s have lived in their homes for 50 years. But many of those homes are two or three stories, and the steps are dangerous.”A geriatrician can help patients explore types of support available to them at home and encourage communication between patients and family members to set aging-in-place goals and follow through on them, Dr. Salamon says. |
A crucial look at medications
With the average life expectancy for American women today stretching to nearly 83, geriatrics is perhaps more relevant than ever. The specialty predominantly centers on health concerns that become increasingly common as birthdays pile up, including falls, hearing loss, incontinence, memory problems, and the need to juggle multiple health conditions and medications.
After 65, more than half of adults typically live with three or more chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, dementia, or arthritis, according to the American Geriatrics Society. And since nearly 90% of adults 65 and older take at least one prescription drug — and 54% report taking four or more — geriatricians’ focus on this aspect of aging is especially important, Dr. Salamon says.
Bible verses for today’s meditation and inspiration: Matthew E. McLaren
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:12 NIV
When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 94:19 NIV
The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. Psalm 118:24 NIV
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 NIV
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV
Recommended contacts for prayer requests and Bible study
https://www.hopechannel.com/au/learn/courses
https://3abn.org/all-streams/3abn.html
http://www.nadadventist.org/article/15/contact-us
https://www.adventist.org/en/utility/contact/
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