Advances in medicine and technology have increased the average life expectancy of the general population. As a result, about a quarter of the population are now 65 years of age or older.
Geriatric medicine is the specialised approach to providing primary healthcare to  elderly individuals. There are several factors, which highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to managing the health issues that typically increase with age.
At our clinic we can help in the management of chronic diseases and functional problems including:

• Aged Care Health Assessments
• Chronic Disease Health Care Plans
• Heart Checks
• Vascular Assessments (Doppler Study)
• Home Safety
• Annual Check Ups & Flu Vax
• Arthritis/Osteoporosis Care

Aged Care Health Assessments

Annual health checks are recommended. These assessments comprise a physical, mental and functional evaluation and relate to normal daily activities.
Assessment and identification of any depression or memory impairment is also part of a regular Aged Care health assessment.

Aged Care Health Assessment Includes

• Nutrition and Diet
• Pain and Physical Function
• Respiratory and Sleep
• Cardiovascular
• Skin
• Continence
• Memory status
• Medication review

Often elderly patients are taking multiple drug therapies, this can make the elderly more susceptible to adverse drug reactions.
Certain diagnostic tests are quite uncomfortable and may be associated with additional risk in the older population. Patients may be referred to other specialists, depending on their clinical conditions.

Chronic Disease Health Care Plans

A care plan will be recommended where a patient presents with a chronic medical condition.That is a medical condition that has persisted for at least 6 months.
Our doctors would review your history and devise an individualised plan for managing the treatment of your problem to optimise your outcome and to improve your quality of life.

How do Care Plans Work?

• Identifies your health care needs
• Sets out the services your we will provide, and
• Lists what you need to do

These Care Plans are designed for best practice and can involve other team members outside the practice.

Heart Checks

Heart disease is common in middle aged and elderly patients, at our clinic we encourage heart checks as part of your health management.
You may not be aware you have risk factors of heart disease early enough. Often there are no symptoms, so it is  important to get your doctor to check your risks frequently, to ensure your heart is healthy.

Further Tests for Heart Disease

Where there are indications of heart disease we may recommend  one of the following cardiac diagnostic processes:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Holter monitoring
• Echocardiogram
• Cardiac catheterization
• Cardiac computerized tomography (CT) scan
• Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Before any of the above tests are recommended, our doctors will likely perform a physical examination including a blood pressure test,  a review of your current medications and they will ask about your personal and family medical history.

Vascular Assessments

Older patients are advised to have regular assessments for vascular disease. Where a condition exists our doctors can guide you through your various management options.
The assessment is designed to help understand the presenting problem, but also detailed enough to understand the full health situation.

Further Tests for Heart Disease

Where there are indications of vascular disease we may recommend one of the following diagnostic examinations:

• Hand held Doppler
• Duplex ultrasound
• Intra-arterial Angiogram
• Magnetic resonance angiography
• CT (computed tomography) angiography

Before any of the above tests are recommended, our doctors will likely perform a physical examination including a blood pressure test, a review of your current medications and they will ask about your personal and family medical history.

Home Safety

Home safety for the elderly can be managed, below are some recommendations.

Home Safety Review

• Keep emergency numbers handy
• Prevent falls – talk to us about having a special falls risk assessment.
• Protect against fire and related dangers
• Avoid bathroom hazards
• Protect against abuse

Home Medication Review

• Keep all medications in their original containers so you don’t mix up medicines.
• Ask your pharmacist to put large-print labels on your medications to make them easier to read.
• Take your medications in a well-lit room, so you can see the labels.
• Bring all of your pill bottles with you to your healthcare provider’s appointments so they can look at them and make sure you are taking them correctly.

Annual Check Ups and Flu Vax

As part of your general health we recommend annual visits for general checks. We also strongly recommending annual check ups for:

• Influenza Vaccination
• Skin Checks
• Blood Pressure and
• Medication

Bowel Cancer Screening is recommended by the Cancer Council every two years for those over 50.

Arthritis/Osteoporosis Care

Arthritis is a debilitating chronic condition that is very common in elderly patients.
Our doctors keep up to date with the latest developments of the condition including providing:

• Advice for coping with fatigue and flares
• Latest treatments available (surgical and medical)
• Medications
• Self-management techniques
• Complementary therapies

At our clinic we are here to help with advice, treatment and/or referrals to trained professionals.