Why is Geriatric Care Important?

Changes occur as we age. Once we become senior citizens, our focus majorly shifts to our health, habits, and well-being. Geriatric care is a medical specialty that encompasses the needs of older adults. Geriatric care is specifically a multi-disciplinary approach. From medical to social and psychological, this medical specialty caters to the unique health needs of senior citizens. Nowadays, there are assisted living facilities that understand senior care and dedicatedly provide high-quality services related to care for older adults who are battling age-related challenges as well as chronic health conditions. In such facilities, the high-quality geriatric care that is offered is patient-centric. That is to say, the care module for a senior is designed keeping in mind their unique healthcare needs. Thus, geriatric care encompasses a wide range of services. These include providing a safe environment for elders, managing chronic illness, rehabilitation, assisted living services, preventive care, and end-of-life care.

In renowned assisted living facilities, care is supervised by experienced doctors who not only understand what geriatric care for seniors is but are also trained to handle it. The caregiving team can include doctors, nurses, personal caregivers, physiotherapists, psychologists, specialist doctors, and in-house supports. The chief goal of a geriatric care programme is to instill a sense of independence, dignity, love, and compassion in the lives of senior citizens. Seniors, too, deserve the best from life. Premium assisted living facilities take on the responsibility of improving their residents’ quality of life by managing their health and wellness.

Geriatric care is important for several reasons. Studies show that the average age of population in India is 29 years. That means that the population of India is ageing fast. As the population ages, the needs and lifestyle routines change drastically. With age, adults develop diseases and even chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, joint pain, malnutrition, cognitive impairment, functional limitations, dementia, injuries from accidental falls, and depression that can result from isolation or retirement in severe cases.

Geriatric care is often complex. Since a wide range of conditions, symptoms, and treatments come under geriatric care management, it is not always possible for a personal caregiver to render high-quality service or even the service that a particular senior needs. Here, caregivers who are specially trained in geriatric care can manage complex issues and provide integrated, comprehensive care.

A geriatric specialist caregiver ensures the following for a senior:

• Regular physical exercises, activities, and physiotherapy for better mobility and balance
• a stress free environment to promote good health and happiness
• Regular engagement in creative and cognitive activities to uplift spiritual wellbeing. Group activities are conducted to promote emotional bonding with other resident seniors.
• Planned diets and calculated nutrition that are especially prescribed by dietitian and meals customized for each resident senior, contributes in holistic wellbeing of someone who is fighting geriatric issues.
• Since seniors have low immunity, regular medical checkups are held for the detection and prevention of diseases. Since the bones and muscles of seniors grow weak over time they also develop frailty. Daily checkups by doctors and often by specialty doctors, are super helpful.

Most luxurious nursing homes, including premium old age homes, provide seniors suffering from geriatric conditions with safety and comfort. Living in especially designed apartments is incredibly safe. Anti-skid flooring in bathrooms, security grab bars beside the bed, within the room, and in bathrooms, elder-friendly sanitary-ware, wheelchair-friendly campuses, sound-proof rooms, emergency call bells in bedrooms and bathrooms, direct landlines, and other features are included in buildings. Care coordination is an extremely essential part of geriatric care management. Since holistic genetic care comprises more than one healthcare provider and setting, it is extremely important that there is optimum level of coordination and communication between the caregivers. For instance, if a nurse is tending to a senior who is suffering from bladder problems, the nurse should know about that person’s next hospital visit. Improving care transitions and offering appropriate care at the appropriate time immensely helps a senior who is suffering from geriatric problems. In leading senior assisted homes, the caregivers serve seniors with compassion and love, thereby providing them all the emotional support the senior needs to stay healthy and happy.