Geriatric care is a collaboration between geriatricians and other healthcare professionals.
IN 2020, the World Bank concluded that rapid aging will be a crucial megatrend affecting Malaysia in the coming decades. It further elaborated that 14% of the population is expected to be above the age of 65 by 2044, and over 20% by 2056, making Malaysia a “super-aged society”.
For this reason and more, it is crucial for the local public to pay greater attention to geriatric care.
According to consultant geriatrician at Sunway Medical Centre, Sunway City, Dr Teh Hoon Lang, many people assume that geriatric population can be managed in the same manner as adults.
However, this is far from the truth and the public must understand the differences so as to provide the elderly with the best care possible.
She also emphasises the need to seek medical attention from geriatricians as they work to provide comprehensive assessments as well as create individualised care plans for the elderly.
“Every elderly person is different. As a result, their comorbidity differs and their management strategy does as well.
“Geriatrician will also consider patient and their family’s preference before making long term care plan and health care goals.
“Therefore, it is generally advised to see a geriatrician if an elderly person has multiple complex medical problems.”
Due to the broad range of diseases and conditions that affect the elderly, geriatricians work closely with multiple subspecialty consultants as well as allied health teams comprising nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and dietitians.
This collaborative effort equates to a more accurate diagnosis and maximises the possibility for a brighter patient outcome.
For example, some doctors may dismiss body aches as a standard symptom of ageing. However, a careful review of each patient and further testing may reveal that the ache is caused by diseases
such as cancer, and this would thus lead to appropriate treatment at an earlier stage.
Dr Teh clarifies that just because someone is older in age, does not mean he or she is weak or dysfunctional.
Dr Teh clarifies that just because someone is older in age, does not mean he or she is weak or dysfunctional. Some older persons are still very fit, it depends on how they take care of themselves. However, if health deteriorates, the senior citizen must seek medical advice and assistance, do not assume it is due to ageing and miss the golden period for effective treatment.
Some older persons are still very fit, it depends on how they take care of themselves.
However, if health deteriorates, the senior citizen must seek medical advice and assistance, do not assume it is due to ageing and miss the golden period for effective treatment.
Giants of geriatrics
Dr Teh shares five key areas that loved ones must be mindful of when it comes to caring for the elderly.
Giants of geriatrics, also known as the five I’s, is a term used to describe these common problems or symptoms.
1. Intellectual impairment
Many elderly individuals live with reduced cognition and memory, which may stem from various medical conditions. Such examples include dementia and delirium.
Sometimes, electrolyte imbalance in the body or side effects of medication can also lead to forgetfulness.
2. Instability
Otherwise known as gait imbalance, geriatricians assess patients who have issues balancing and the potential of falling.
This can be caused by many factors such as vision problems, weakness of the limbs or even stroke.
Many factors can cause this, so geriatricians try to modify and intervene wherever they can to improve the quality of life and reduce the risk of falls.
3. Immobility
Immobility pertains to issues related to walking.
This could be caused by brain or muscle issues and side effects of medication, causing patients to have body aches.
It is understood that there are multiple conditions that can lead to immobility.
4. Incontinence
Incontinence is when patients have problems controlling their urine and bowels.
Sometimes, patients may not even be aware of the leakage.
For elderly men, such problems may be caused by prostate issues while childbirth may be a factor when it comes to elderly women.
5. Iatrogenic
latrogenic is when an issue is caused by side effects of medical therapy.
An example would be experiencing side effects from prescribed medication.
The elderly is more likely to suffer from this due to their increased visits to doctors and the need to consume more medication, which can potentially lead to further complications.
Primary and secondary prevention
The adage of prevention is better than cure rings true for the elderly community, what more when their immune systems are not as strong as they used to be.
Primary prevention means preventing the disease before it happens and this can be achieved through a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, regular exercise, and vaccinations.
Having enough sleep and emotional stability is also important.
Studies have shown being surrounded by loved ones and friends is also important as social isolation increases the risk of mental illness.
The focus of secondary prevention is to prevent further complications of a disease. For example, a patient with diabetes may struggle with issues related to eyesight, heart, stroke and nerve problems if earlier symptoms are not appropriately dealt with or controlled.
Dr Teh concludes, the public needs to be more aware about the importance of geriatric medicine as it would allow more elderly patients to lead longer and more fulfilling lives.
For more information, contact 03-7491 9191.
