Our Services / Geriatric Medicine

What is geriatric medicine?

Geriatric medicine is medical care that specifically serves older populations. While there is no specific age at which geriatric care should start, you and your primary care provider can decide when you need it based on your health status and level of function. 

During geriatric care visits in her office, Dr. Mohtashami provides detailed assessments and examinations. She also manages your care with medications, regular testing, and lifestyle medicine. She focuses on preventive care to help you maintain your health and prevent complications from any diseases you already have. 

Dr. Mohtashami manages your care herself but can collaborate with other providers. For certain conditions and treatments, she can make specialist referrals to other providers you can trust. 

Which conditions can geriatric medicine help me manage?

Dr. Mohtashami routinely sees geriatric patients with one or more chronic conditions. Your likelihood gets higher for many of them as you age, so it’s common to develop one or several chronic diseases later in life. Dr. Mohtashami can help you manage:

High blood pressure

High blood pressure or hypertension is a condition that often develops due to excessive salt intake, excess body weight, and narrowing arteries. Its potential complications include heart attacks, aneurysms, and strokes. 

Heart problems

Heart problems common in elderly patients include atherosclerosis and blockages of coronary arteries inside your heart. These conditions also put you at risk of heart attacks and other serious complications. 

Arthritis

Arthritis is a group of conditions that causes degeneration within your joints. They result in stiffness, pain, and limited mobility. 

Diabetes

Diabetes causes prolonged high levels of blood sugar. Without management, the condition can cause neuropathy, vision problems, ulcers, and infections. 

Who benefits from geriatric medicine?

There are plenty of elderly individuals who can benefit from geriatric medicine and many others who can live comfortably without it. If you’re considering transitioning to a geriatric care model, there are a few factors that Dr. Mohtashami considers. You may benefit from geriatric medicine if you:

• Have multiple chronic conditions
• Take many multiple long-term medications
• Have caregivers or family members currently managing your care
• Need complex treatments for your health
• Have considerable impairment or frailty related to your age
• Are developing memory problems

If you or your family are uncertain whether or not you need geriatric care, primary care provider Dr. Mohtashami can help you make an informed decision after weighing its benefits. 

For more information on geriatric medicine, call Shiva Mohtashami, MD, or request an appointment online today.