What is a Geriatrics Healthcare Professional?
Geriatric healthcare professionals are dedicated to helping older people stay as healthy and independent as possible. They have special training in caring for older adults, and focus on preventing and treating disease and disability in later life. There are different types of geriatric care providers:
- A geriatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained to take care of the complicated health problems that many older adults have. Most geriatricians are primary care physicians who are board-certified in either Family Practice or Internal Medicine and have completed additional training to obtain a "Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine."
- Geriatric psychiatrists are physicians who have completed additional training so they can meet the mental health needs of older adults.
- Geriatric nurse practitioners are registered nurses with advanced training and experience in caring for older adults, including those with complex health problems.
- Geriatric social workers usually have a master's degree in social work and training and experience counseling and arranging needed services for older adults.
- Geriatric Pharmacists usually have a doctorate of pharmacy along with the training and experience required to address polypharmacy and the complicated medication needs of older adults.
- A geriatric care manager is a health and human services professional, such as a gerontologist, nurse, social worker, or psychologist with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. Geriatric care managers work privately with older adults and their families to create a plan of care that meets the needs of the older adult.
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