Primary care is important for the health and well-being of people of all ages. However, it is especially crucial to the elderly, who are more likely to have at least one ongoing (chronic) health condition, such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or arthritis that needs to be managed consistently.
A primary care doctor for the elderly is a doctor who addresses the unique healthcare needs of seniors and ensures their overall health and well-being. They act as a central point of contact for managing the health issues of seniors and coordinating specialized care when needed.
While there is no specific age at which individuals should start seeing a primary care doctor for the elderly, certain situations and factors indicate the need for ongoing and comprehensive healthcare management.
In this blog, we will explore some situations that indicate your need to see a primary care doctor for the elderly.
You Are Living with Multiple Conditions or Diseases
Living with multiple health conditions or diseases is often referred to as comorbidity or multi-morbidity. Because age is a significant risk factor for the development of chronic diseases, multimorbidity is increasingly common in seniors.
Seniors living with multiple conditions or diseases face unique challenges and complexities, including complex treatment regimens, reduced quality of life, and increased risk for complications.
A primary care provider for the elderly is well-versed in managing and treating multiple chronic health conditions of the elderly as well as coordinating senior care with specialists to make sure that elderly patients are getting the best possible care.
You Are Experiencing Functional Decline or Physical Frailty
Functional decline refers to the sudden or gradual decrease in an individual’s ability to perform day-to-day activities, such as dressing, cooking, walking, or bathing, while physical frailty is a condition of vulnerability to stressors such as injuries and illnesses.
Experiencing functional decline or physical frailty can be a challenging and frustrating part of aging. It impacts the elderly person’s ability to perform daily activities, maintain independence, and enjoy a good quality of life.
A primary care doctor for the elderly can assess functional decline and physical fragility, identify factors that contribute to these issues, and create a tailored treatment plan to enhance the elderly’s physical functions, maintain a good quality of life, and reduce the risks of injuries or illness associated with these conditions.
You Have a Disease Associated with Aging
As we step into our golden years, our body undergoes various changes that increase our risk for certain health conditions. Examples include osteoporosis, dementia, and neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
Seeing a primary care provider for seniors will enable you to navigate aging-related challenges, address age-associated health conditions and continue to fully enjoy your later years possible.
You Are Taking Multiple Medications
Seniors who live with multiple health conditions take multiple medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements. Multiple medications or polypharmacy increases their risk for drug interaction and adverse effects.
Primary care doctors for the elderly assess the continued need for each medication, help the patient understand their medications, reduce the risk of missed doses or overdosing, and adjust the dosage if necessary.
Primary Care Doctor for the Elderly in Texas
Are you looking for comprehensive primary care for the elderly? Look no further. At Palm Primary Care Texas, we are equipped to provide exceptional and convenient primary care to elderly patients. Our primary care providers for the elderly provide services like
- Treatment of acute medical conditions
- Management of chronic health conditions
- Preventive screening when needed
- Minor wound care
- Guidance on the prevention of disease and illnesses
- Medication management
- Vaccination and immunizations
- Telemedicine service
- Referral and coordination if specialty care is needed
- Social services
If you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with us, call us today at 866-840-7728!
