Question 1

What does geriatric medicine specialise in?

Accepted Answer

Geriatric medicine specialises in the healthcare needs of older adults, focusing on managing multiple chronic conditions together, reviewing and simplifying complex medication regimens, addressing issues like falls, memory concerns and frailty, and supporting overall functional independence and quality of life. Geriatricians take a holistic approach, considering how physical health, cognition, mobility and social circumstances all interact for older patients, rather than treating each condition in complete isolation.

Question 2

When should an older adult see a geriatrician instead of a general physician?

Accepted Answer

Consider a geriatrician when an older adult is managing multiple chronic conditions and medications simultaneously, experiencing frequent falls, noticeable memory or cognitive changes, unexplained weight loss, or increasing difficulty managing daily activities independently. A geriatrician is particularly helpful when care feels fragmented across several specialists, since they can help coordinate and simplify overall care, focusing on what matters most for the person's quality of life and independence.

Question 3

Why is medication management particularly important for older adults?

Accepted Answer

Older adults often take multiple medications for different chronic conditions, a situation called polypharmacy, which increases the risk of drug interactions, side effects, and medications that may no longer be necessary or appropriate as health changes over time. Geriatricians regularly review a patient's full medication list to identify and safely reduce unnecessary or risky medications, a process called deprescribing, which can meaningfully reduce side effects like dizziness, confusion or falls that are sometimes mistakenly attributed to "just getting older."

Question 4

How does geriatric medicine address fall risk in older adults?

Accepted Answer

Geriatricians assess fall risk by reviewing medications that may cause dizziness, checking balance and muscle strength, screening vision, and evaluating home safety factors like lighting and trip hazards. Based on this assessment, they may recommend physiotherapy to improve strength and balance, medication adjustments, assistive devices, or home modifications. Addressing fall risk proactively is important, since falls are a leading cause of injury and loss of independence in older adults, but many contributing factors are modifiable with the right support.

Question 5

What signs of cognitive decline in an older adult should prompt evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Consider an evaluation if an older adult shows noticeable memory problems that interfere with daily life, difficulty managing finances or medications they previously handled independently, getting lost in familiar places, significant personality or mood changes, or difficulty following conversations or completing familiar tasks. While some memory changes can be a normal part of ageing, these more significant, functional changes warrant assessment to distinguish between normal ageing, treatable causes, and conditions like dementia that benefit from early diagnosis and planning.

Geriatric Medicine