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What Is Geriatric Home Care?
Date Updated: December 6, 2024
Written by:
With over a decade of dedicated experience, Andrea Miller boasts an extensive background in healthcare writing and editing. Her expertise spans various facets of the healthcare industry, with a particular focus on nursing, senior care, Alzheimer’s disease, and public health. Andrea has also contributed her editorial talents to reputable publishers in the Philadelphia region, complementing her extensive freelance work.
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Dr. Brindusa Vanta is a health care professional, researcher, and an experienced medical writer (2000+ articles published online and several medical ebooks). She received her MD degree from “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine, Romania, and her HD diploma from OCHM – Toronto, Canada.
Geriatric home care describes health services for older adults provided at home by nurses and physicians with specialized training. Geriatric providers use a patient-centered approach to address age-related health concerns. They focus on the "5 Ms" of geriatric care, which include medications, mental health, multiple health conditions and mobility. These providers typically see adults aged 75 and older. Geriatric home care also provides help with activities of daily living (ADLs) and other nonmedical services as needed.
Who Provides Geriatric Care?
Specialized physicians provide geriatric care. These doctors earn a medical degree in family medicine or internal medicine. They then complete advanced training and board certification in geriatric medicine. The geriatric care team includes the following:
- Specialized nurse practitioners
- Registered nurses
- Social workers
- Physician assistants
- Pharmacists
- Dietitians
- Mental health providers
The team also has home care aides who assist with ADLs and physical, occupational, and speech therapists.
What Does Geriatric Home Care Include?
Geriatric home care includes medical and skilled nursing services that help older adults meet their health goals and achieve the best possible quality of life. Services include transportation, medication management and help with household tasks. Geriatric physicians diagnose and treat diseases that commonly affect seniors, such as depression, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and heart disease.
After an initial assessment, the provider works with the patient and family to create a personalized care plan. The plan incorporates care from nurses, home health aides and specialists as needed.
Could Your Loved One Benefit From Geriatric Home Care?
Your loved one will benefit from geriatric home care if they:
- Have become frail
- Frequently fall
- Need assistance beyond help from family caregivers
- Have multiple health conditions
- Take multiple medications
Geriatric providers most commonly care for older adults who have balance problems, nutritional deficiencies, mental health conditions and chronic illnesses such as heart failure. They also assist when seniors need support to remain independent.