As people grow older, they may develop health problems that are different from those seen in younger adults. Geriatrics healthcare professionals have special training to help older adults stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.

One challenge of aging is that many older adults have several health problems at the same time. More than half have three or more medical conditions. These may include heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes, arthritis, or dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Having several health problems at once can make it hard to do daily activities on your own, such as bathing, dressing, cooking, or managing medications.

Geriatrics professionals focus on five key areas when caring for older adults

These are called the Geriatrics 5Ms:

• Multicomplexity (having multiple health problems at the same time)
• Mind (memory, thinking, and mood)
• Mobility (safe movement and preventing falls)
• Medications (using medicines safely)
• What Matters Most (a person’s goals, values, and preferences)

The Geriatrics 5Ms

SOURCE: Tinetti M, Huang A, Molnar F. The Geriatrics 5M's: a new way of communicating what we do. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2017;65(9):2115.

Who Provides Geriatrics Care?

Geriatrics uses a team approach to care for older adults. The team also supports family members and caregivers, including close friends.

The geriatrics care team may include:

• Geriatricians. These are medical doctors with special training in caring for older adults. They are board-certified in internal medicine or family medicine and have extra training in geriatrics. Geriatricians often care for frail or medically complex older adults in many settings, such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, medical offices, or even in a person’s home.

• Geriatric (or gerontological) nurse practitioners. These are advanced practice nurses with special training in caring for older adults. They can do physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, and prescribe medications. They work in clinics, hospitals, and long-term care settings.

• Physician assistants (PAs). These licensed medical professionals can examine patients, diagnose and treat illnesses, and prescribe medications. They work under the supervision of a physician as part of the healthcare team.

• Social workers. These licensed professionals help people manage life challenges, including physical and mental health problems. Some social workers also diagnose and treat mental health conditions.

• Consultant pharmacists. These pharmacists specialize in reviewing medications. They help make sure medicines are safe, effective, and right for an older adult’s needs.

• Dietitians. These experts focus on food and nutrition. They give advice about healthy eating and special diets to manage health problems.

• Physical therapists. They help improve movement, strength, balance, and reduce pain. They often work with older adults who have arthritis, joint replacements, or balance problems.

• Occupational therapists. They help people with daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, cooking, and driving. They also work on improving balance, strength, and coordination.

• Speech and hearing specialists. They help people with hearing, speaking, and swallowing. They can also assess memory and thinking. They treat conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, stroke, and brain injuries.

• Psychiatrists. These are medical doctors who diagnose and treat mental health conditions. Geriatric psychiatrists have special training in mental health care for older adults and can prescribe medications.

• Psychologists. They provide therapy and counseling for mental health conditions. They are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medications. They often work closely with psychiatrists and social workers.

A geriatrics healthcare team includes professionals who care for the special needs of older adults.

These professionals look at the whole person. They evaluate medical, social, and emotional needs.

The team helps manage common health concerns in older adults, such as:

• Falls
• Memory problems
• Multiple long-term (chronic) health conditions

When to See a Geriatrician?

Consider seeing a geriatrician if:

• An older adult has health problems that cause weakness, disability, or frailty. Frailty means the person feels weak and has trouble with daily activities. These problems may include memory or thinking changes, incontinence, depression, or trouble moving and caring for themselves.
• Family members or caregivers (including close friends) feel very stressed or overwhelmed.
• An older adult has difficulty following complicated treatment plans or sees many different healthcare providers and needs help coordinating care.

How Can I Find a Geriatrics Healthcare Professional?

You can use our free Find a Geriatrics Health Professional tool to get an instant list of healthcare providers in your area who are trained in the special health care needs of older adults. 

Search by city, state, or zip code or call 800-563-4916 to have a list mailed to you.  

Last Updated April 2026