The treatment of older people is a little different from that of adults. They need more regular monitoring, careful dosage, and emotional support. Geriatric medicine specialists at Narayana Health collaborate with other specialists or may refer you to one to effectively treat conditions associated with ageing:

Dementia

Although some people live their lives without developing any form of dementia, they may still show certain memory changes:

Struggling to remember a word or a name
Forgetting most recent events, as they fail to register
Occasionally misplacing car keys or remotes

The above symptoms are considered normal with ageing, similar to the weakening of bones and muscles. However, patients with dementia demonstrate more severe symptoms:

Poor attention to things or discussions going around them
Difficulty communicating what they need to say
Loss of reasoning, judgment, and decision-making
Getting lost in a familiar neighbourhood
Not being able to complete tasks independently
Forgetting the name or failing to recognise people close to them, such as their children or spouse
Repeating things multiple times despite receiving acknowledgement of what they have said

Geriatric services at Narayana Health offer exceptional care of various kinds of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, alcohol-related brain injury (ARBI), younger onset dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and many more.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's is a progressive nervous system disorder. The disease may not be apparent at the initial stages. However, you may observe a loss of facial expressions, no movement in arms while walking, and softening of speech of older adults. These are early signs of Parkinson’s disease, a chronic degenerative disorder affecting thousands of older adults worldwide. Senior care specialists at Narayana Health advise you with the best combination of medicinal and therapy care to manage the condition. If needed, they may recommend a neurology consultation. Brain specialists may advise procedures for severe conditions to regulate brain functioning and ease the symptoms. Common signs include:

Tremor or rhythmic shaking of hands or other parts of the body
Bradykinesia or slowed movement, difficulty getting out of a chair
Muscle rigidity that reduces the range of motion significantly
Loss of automatic movements such as swinging of arms while walking
Changes in speech patterns, such as slur or hesitation
Poor balance or frequent dizziness
Difficulty in writing and it may become smaller

Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis

Both of these are the diseases of the bones. While Osteoarthritis affects joints and mobility, Osteoporosis makes the bones more fragile. Diseases of bones may affect the appearance of joints and increase the risk of fracture, even with minor injuries. While both are chronic conditions, changes in diet, exercise, and prescribed medicine help manage bone diseases effectively. Senior care specialists at Narayana Health thoroughly assess the condition and its extent with necessary blood tests to prescribe the most suited geriatric treatment to you and your loved ones for bone health disorders.

Incontinence

It is a bladder control problem that may cause involuntary urination or complete loss of holding power. It is the most common bladder issue and is often a result of pregnancy or prostate problems. Bladder issues in public end up becoming an embarrassment. Therefore, patients tend to avoid socialising. This, in turn, impacts their quality of life. The condition may also result in bedwetting. Incontinence can happen due to any reason, including weak pelvic muscles, UTIs, kidney disorders, etc. Geriatric specialists at Narayana Health work with Urologists to offer the most suitable guidance, for instance, medication, adult diapers, and pelvic exercises.

Geriatric care focuses on keeping older adults functional, healthy, and happy. Geriatric services go beyond medical care. They offer socio-emotional care, mental health management, mobility and functional support, and caregiver education and assistance. The construction of senior care facilities at Narayana Health Hospitals has kept ease of access in mind. You will find conveniently placed ramps, lifts, rails, and other amenities to assist the elderly during their stay or visit to the hospital. Our facilities also provide in-patient nursing care to elderly patients. Several of these are NABH and JCI accredited, demonstrating our commitment to providing standardised healthcare for everyone, including senior citizens. Our goal is to promote healthy living and ageing.

Geriatric Medicine