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It can be hard for Americans to access the health care they need, especially so for older adults. Coordinating specialists, managing medications and navigating cognitive or memory issues is challenging enough on their own – let alone in combination.
According to Jerry Gurwitz, a geriatrician at UMass Chan Medical School, older adults require holistic care that goes beyond treating individual conditions.
Geriatric care, he writes, “should aim to help older people maintain health, independence and optimal quality of life for as long as possible.”
“The right care for older people,” he adds, “can prevent falls, reduce risk of medication side effects and help patients make medical decisions that reflect their goals and wishes.”
Ideally, every older adult would be able to get care from a geriatrician like Gurwitz. Unfortunately, these experts are few and far between. With this shortfall in mind, Gurwitz offers some thoughtful, practical suggestions for how older patients and their families can adopt a few core principles that geriatricians use.
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