Physicians participating in the referral service program have chosen to participate, are in good standing at our hospitals, have not paid a fee, are credentialed to perform the service you have requested and are accepting new patients in their practice. They do not have a financial interest in another hospital or facility in this area and are not employed by or have an ownership interest in a competitive health care system. To ensure patients have a reasonable number of physician choices, the program includes physicians who may not have privileges at our hospital but have an office location in our hospital's primary service area or have been granted access to our hospital's clinical information systems. Physicians who are employed or engaged by an HCA affiliated physician practice or offering online appointment scheduling are referred first with others referred on a randomized basis to match your individual needs with consideration for the preferences you have expressed.
A geriatrician is a primary care physician who cares for older adults, especially people 65 and older. Geriatricians have the additional training and experience needed to care for older adults, who often begin to experience more complex health issues as they age.
What conditions do geriatricians treat?
There are many conditions that geriatricians treat in older adults, including:
arthritis: inflammation of your joints that causes pain and stiffness
Alzheimer’s disease: a progressive form of dementia that affects your memory, thinking, and behavior
balance issues: problems caused by weakened hips, ankles, and inner ear disorders
cancer: a group of diseases caused by abnormal cells that divide and can spread throughout your body
dementia: a condition that affects your memory, thinking, behavior, and language
diabetes: a metabolic disease that can damage your nerves, kidneys, and other organs
frailty: the gradual decline and weakening of your health, marked by loss of physical strength and increased vulnerability to diseases
hearing loss and vision loss: common disorders of your ears and eyes marked by loss of function
heart disease: a wide range of cardiovascular diseases that damage heart functionality
insomnia: a sleep disorder that makes it hard to fall and stay asleep
osteoarthritis: a loss of cartilage in your joints that causes pain and stiffness
osteoporosis: a loss of bone density that causes your bones to grow weaker
The age at which you start seeing a geriatrician depends on many factors, including your lifestyle, chronic conditions, medications, and more.
You may want to visit a geriatrician if you:
are interested in receiving lifestyle guidance as an older adult
have experienced increased frailty or impairment
have started to feel symptoms of diseases associated with aging, such as dementia
live with chronic conditions that require complex care
take multiple medications
What can I expect from my first geriatrician appointment?
Your first appointment with a geriatrician will be similar to starting a new relationship with a primary care physician. Expect your doctor to ask about your medical history, medications you take, conditions you’re living with, or any symptoms you’re experiencing.
Your geriatrician will also conduct a physical exam, may recommend blood work or other diagnostic tests, and will likely provide counsel about lifestyle changes you can make to improve your quality of life.
What questions should I ask my geriatrician?
It’s important that you prepare for your appointment with a geriatrician. To help you get started, we’ve created a list of good questions to ask your doctor:
Are you willing to coordinate your work with other doctors?
Can you describe your referral process?
Should I still see my primary care physician (PCP), or will you become my new PCP?
Which of my medical concerns should take priority?
Am I taking the right medications and at the correct doses?
Do I need to take all of these medications?
What are the side effects of these medications?
What can I do to reduce my pain and discomfort?
How often should I schedule appointments?
You can use these questions as a starting point, but feel free to add your own. A good practice is to also ask for additional information and take notes during your appointment.
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