Elderly Need Gerontologists

Many seniors receive inadequate care.  Now that is a brash statement!  Unfortunately, it is true.  Many doctors are insufficiently trained to deal with geriatrics issues.  The most basic tenet of geriatric care is to listen, speak, repeat what you said and give written instructional materials.  No wonder Medicare is going bankrupt.  So much of the care given to seniors is inadequate and second class.  Then the doctors overcharge Medicare.  When my mother was getting the run around from her primary care doctor, I insisted she change doctors and see a gerontologist.  A gerontologist is a doctor who understands what the needs are of the elderly physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.  They are advocates.  Most gerontologists have to double up as internists or medical school professors because reimbursement as my my mother’s doctor said “you can’t make a living as just a gerontologist”.  How sad a comment when our elderly have worked hard, sacrificed, fought wars for our freedom and raised us.  Gerontologists understand the involvement of the family and love when a family member accompanies a patient to an appointment.  My mother-in-law now sees a  gerontologist in Brooklyn and it has made all the difference in her health.  In Rhode Island, there is a gerontology nurse practitioner names Sue Morris who started a business, Geriatric Assessment Service, to keep the elderly in the home.  It can be pricey but the love and respect she employs is amazing and inspiring.  She is extremely busy.  The best part is the doctors refer to her because of the depth of her knowledge.  She is an advocate for the client with the family and doctors.  I have a low tolerance with doctors who don’t care adequately for the elderly.  It makes me even more determined to get the result I want and the client needs.  If you an elderly parent or friend, and their care is not what you think it should be, search out a gerontologist.