Geriatric Patient Care Service
Geriatric Patient Care Service
Geriatric patient care service is a type of service that includes health and care services for elderly individuals. This service is generally provided to meet the health needs of the elderly and to ensure that they can continue their lives comfortably and safely. Geriatric patient care service may include various services for the physical, mental and emotional needs of elderly individuals:
Support in Daily Living Activities
This service provides support for elderly individuals in daily living activities (eating, drinking, dressing, bathing, going to the toilet, etc.). Elderly people who need help can receive help on issues such as personal care, hygiene and nutrition.
Medication Management
Within the scope of geriatric patient care service, elderly individuals are provided with support so that they can take their medications regularly. It is ensured that medications are taken at the right times and doses, side effects are monitored and medication follow-up is carried out.
Medical Follow-up and Examinations
Regular medical follow-ups of elderly individuals and ensuring that they go to doctors' examinations are an important part of geriatric patient care service. Within the scope of this service, elderly people can have their medical follow-ups with doctor and nurse visits at home.
Home Rehabilitation Services
Home rehabilitation services can be provided to increase the physical functions and independence of elderly individuals. Services such as physiotherapy, speech therapy, and occupational therapy can be applied to increase the quality of life of elderly individuals.
Emotional Support and Social Communication
Social interaction and psychosocial support can be provided within the scope of this service to prevent social isolation of elderly individuals and to provide them with emotional support. Visits, conversations, activities and hobby activities support the mental health of elderly individuals.
Geriatric patient care service allows elderly individuals to meet their health needs in a comfortable environment at home. In addition, this service reduces the need for elderly people to go to the hospital and allows them to continue their lives more independently by meeting their care needs.
Geriatric processes include medical, psychological and rehabilitation studies carried out to protect, manage and improve the physical, mental and social health conditions of elderly individuals. Complex health problems that arise with the aging process require geriatric processes to be personalized. These processes are managed by taking into account the patient's general health status, diseases, level of independence and social environment.
1. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
A comprehensive geriatric assessment is performed at the beginning of the geriatric process. This assessment is performed with a multidisciplinary approach to understand the patient's overall health status and needs. The main elements taken into consideration at this stage are:
- Medical status: Existing diseases and their management.
- Mental status: Memory, attention and decision-making ability.
- Functional status: Whether the patient can independently perform daily living activities.
- Social support: Support from family, friends and social environment.
- This comprehensive assessment allows the creation of appropriate treatment and care plans for the patient.
2. Chronic Disease Management
In geriatric processes, the management of chronic diseases frequently seen in elderly individuals is of great importance. Diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, arthritis and osteoporosis are monitored by geriatric specialists. The following processes are applied during the treatment of chronic diseases:
Regular Check-ups: Regular doctor check-ups are performed to monitor the status of chronic diseases and prevent possible complications.
Medication Management: Since multiple drug use is common in elderly individuals, interactions and side effects of drugs are carefully monitored. Unnecessary drugs are reduced, and the most appropriate drugs for treatment are arranged.
Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation programs are developed to maintain and increase physical mobility. Exercise, physical therapy and special diet recommendations are frequently applied.
3. Mental Health and Dementia Management
In geriatric processes, special attention is paid to mental health problems in elderly individuals. Memory loss, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's and other types of dementia are frequently encountered problems in geriatric evaluation. The following are applied in this process:
Early Diagnosis: Early detection of mental health problems is important to slow down the progression of the disease and start appropriate treatment early.
Cognitive Support: Exercises that support memory and cognitive functions, brain exercises and social activities are recommended.
Psychological Support: Psychological support is provided to individuals experiencing mental health problems and their families.
4. Management of Falls and Movement Disorders
The risk of falling is quite high in elderly individuals and this risk constitutes an important part of geriatric processes. The following steps are followed to maintain mobility and prevent accidents:
Physical Exercises: Exercises that increase muscle strength and improve balance are recommended.
Home Arrangements: Arrangements are made at home so that the elderly individual can move safely at home (such as grab bars, non-slip surfaces).
Assistive Devices: The use of assistive devices such as canes, walkers and wheelchairs is recommended.
5. Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care
Geriatric processes may also include end-of-life care for elderly individuals. Palliative care is a type of care that focuses on managing pain and other symptoms to increase quality of life. The aim of these processes is to ensure the comfort of patients and to provide support to their families. The basic components of palliative care are as follows:
Pain and Discomfort Management: Control of symptoms such as pain, nausea and respiratory problems.
Psychosocial Support: Meeting the emotional and spiritual needs of the patient and their family.
Quality of Life Focused Care: Ensuring that the patient has the best possible quality of life by increasing physical and mental comfort.
6. Nutrition and Hydration
Nutritional problems become more common with old age. Geriatric specialists recommend special diets and supplements to ensure that the patient has proper nutrition. In this process, it is especially important to meet the protein and vitamin needs. In addition, since insufficient fluid intake can lead to dehydration, sufficient fluid consumption is encouraged.
Geriatric processes offer a wide range of medical and social support to optimize the health of elderly individuals and maintain their independence. By considering the health needs specific to old age, they provide the most appropriate care services to patients and their families.
