Geriatrics

Geriatrics is a sub-specialty of internal medicine focused on the prevention and treatment of disease and disabilities in elder adults. It is the decision of the individual or a specialist whether or not they feel the need to receive geriatric treatment. There is no set recommended age for an individual to begin geriatrics.  

The major categories of impairment that appear in elderly people are referred to as the Geriatric Giants. These impairments include: 

• immobility
• instability
• incontinence
• impaired intellect/memory.
• impaired vision
• hearing loss

Hearing problems can lead to social isolation, depression, and dependence as the person can no longer talk to other people, receive information over the telephone, or engage in simple transactions such as talking to a person at a bank or store. Vision problems lead to falls from tripping over unseen objects and misreading vital instructions such as medicine labels or financial documental.