Geriatric Care

Geriatric Care services offered in Bellevue, WA

Even if you’re healthy and in great physical shape, you still face unique challenges as you get older. The geriatric care specialists at Medical Arts Associates P.S. in Bellevue, Washington, can manage these problems. As family physicians and geriatric experts, they understand the physical, mental, emotional, and social changes that occur with aging. They identify your risks and take proactive steps to promote your optimal well-being. Call the office or request an in-person or telehealth appointment today to learn more.

Geriatric Care Q & A

What is geriatric care?

Geriatric care at Medical Arts Associates P.S. is provided by experts in preventing and managing the health challenges that develop as you age. The team helps you maintain your optimal health and stay independent as long as possible by assessing your risks and creating individualized care plans that protect your health.

When do I need geriatric care?

You may be surprised to learn that there isn’t a specific age determining when to seek geriatric care. Many people think 65 is the time to switch to geriatric care, but some need this specialized care at 55, and others won’t need it until their 70s.

Deciding when you need geriatrics is based on your physical and mental needs rather than your age. It may be time to consider this level of care if:

You have multiple complex medical conditions
Treatment for one condition negatively affects another
You’re developing frailty or functional decline

Frailty occurs when age-related changes, such as muscle weakness, weight loss, and poor endurance, make you more vulnerable to physical problems.

What are the top concerns in geriatric care?

Comprehensive geriatric care includes medical services like physicals, sick visits, and chronic disease management. Your provider focuses on age-related concerns, including:

Chronic pain
Home safety
Skin rejuvenation and aesthetics
Mobility (how you walk, your balance, and risk for falls)
Vision and hearing loss
Memory loss (dementia and Alzheimer’s disease)
Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia)
Mental health (depression, social isolation)
Ability to take care of yourself (cooking, cleaning, self-care, etc.)
Polypharmacy (taking several prescription medications from multiple doctors)

After completing a thorough exam, your provider works with you to identify your unique needs, whether medical, emotional, social, or in your home environment. Then they identify the steps to maintain your health and ensure your safety.

Are health screenings part of geriatric care?

Health screenings are essential throughout your adult life. Screenings find signs of disease long before you have symptoms. With screenings, you learn about potential health problems early while they’re treatable.

The necessary screenings depend on your age, overall health, and risk factors. However, screenings that are important in geriatric care include:

Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Type 2 diabetes
Bone density
Abdominal aortic aneurysm
Lung cancer
Colon cancer
Breast cancer
Prostate cancer
Skin cancer

Call Medical Arts Associates P.S. or book an appointment online today if you have questions about geriatric care.