Page 27 - Valley Life & Health

THE MORNING CALL SATURDAY, APRIL 27, 2019 27
Primeim
Pr
Pr
Pr
Pr
GERIATRIC MEDICINE more prevalent in older people who may not have family added another $470 billion to that figure. This puts a
Continued from page 15 members or friends around as often. In that case, their drain on family budgets and on seniors’ savings.
physician also acts as their friend and psychologist. While money can be a difficult topic to address
age, your primary doctor can help determine whether the “Keeping people happy and healthy through their – particularly in association with aging and during
switch to a geriatrician is right for you. older years is very rewarding,” says Dr. Krishnamurthy. retirement years that are supposed to be as stress-free as
“Traditional medicine practitioners are great “Simply put, geriatrics is the practice of complex internal possible – it’s important to arm yourself with information.
physicians – and are educated very well to treat diseases medicine with a lot of empathy and kindness.” “One fact often not talked about is healthcare
based on scientific evidence-based guidelines. While finances. This can be a big challenge as elder patients
these guidelines are great for single diseases, it becomes The importance of paying attention are typically retired with limited income, and the cost
challenging in elderly people with multiple diseases, to healthcare trends and finances of medications can be very high. Typically, Medicare
as the guidelines for various diseases can contradict According to the latest U.S. Census, there are prescription plans have gaps in coverage resulting
each other,” explains Dr. Krishnamurthy. “One simply 77 million boomers across the country, with more in very high out-of-pocket expenses,” says Dr.
cannot follow the guidelines blindly due to the inherent than 10,000 retiring every day. Unfortunately, there Krishnamurthy. “It is very important to talk to your
contradictions. For example, some medicines that are are just over 7,000 geriatricians when the projected doctor about getting as many generic medications as
great for the heart are not good for the kidney and need is close to 20,000 – proving that our national possible and limiting brand name medications.”
vice versa, so some compromise has to occur. The healthcare plans have not adapted according to the Krishnamurthy also points out the importance of
intellectual stimulation while assessing the various pros changing needs of our population. having one physician – either a geriatrician or a trusted
and cons is the best thing about geriatrics.” “This massive shortage needs to be addressed internal medicine or family physician – in charge of your
While getting older is inevitable (and certainly if we are to be successful in caring appropriately for overall care. Medications prescribed by each of these
better than the alternative), there are smart choices elders,” says Dr. Krishnamurthy. doctors may have interactions and side effects, so “having
that this population can make to help slow the decline In terms of healthcare resources, these types of one doctor in charge of the overall care is absolutely
of aging. This is an important time of life to start listening trends are important for boomers to be paying attention vital,” says Krishnamurthy.
to your own body, and know that everything from the to and thinking about because as healthcare costs One thing to keep in mind is that in any situation that
foods you eat and how you exercise, to your social increase faster than economic growth, Medicare taxes applies to your health, the most important members of
network and retirement goals, can have an effect on will cover less and less. And while others expect to a “health care team” – other than the doctor and the
how your body ages. depend on Social Security, there is a very real chance that patient – is a support network of people around you.
Because everyone ages differently and because the reserve may be depleted by 2033. So even if you don’t consider yourself “old,” that means
lifestyle plays a major role, you’ll experience both Foreboding statistics also tell us that 75 percent of you – and your support of others going through this
hard-to-notice and impossible-to-miss changes in your Americans over the age of 65 live with multiple chronic process now. And if you’re helping to care for an aging
physical and mental health. While it’s easy to say that health conditions, often shifting caregiving onto family relative, this advice also applies to you.
staying physically and mentally active can help with these members or personal care aides. According to the Geriatric awareness and knowledge shouldn’t be
adjustments – particularly in your 60s – a geriatrician can Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the U.S. limited just to geriatricians. In today’s America, all of us
help point out some issues that are not so obvious. One spent an estimated $103 billion on home health care in should be equipped with the knowledge and resources
of them is that loneliness and depression can become 2018, and the estimated value of unpaid in-home care to help optimize the health of seniors.

ARE YOUR
Senior

Moments Discover a fresh perspective on what it means to have

a senior moment at the Terrace at Phoebe Allentown.
LIKE OURS? Call 610-510-2107 or visit Phoebe.org/Prime

INDEPENDENT LIVING B Y P H O E B E M I N I S T R I E S | 1940 W. Turner Street, Allentown, PA 18104