As you grow older, your risk of developing chronic illnesses increases. Since seniors have unique health needs, you will need to go to your doctor for routine check-ups to evaluate your health and help balance your needs with your abilities. Dr. Juan Borja in Delray Beach and his team at Delray Medical & Dental offer patient-centered medical care to help patients have a comfortable life during their sunset years. The team thrives in various medical services, including behavioral health and managed care, to help their patients more effectively cope with life challenges.
Geriatric Care
You are constantly confronted by what you need to do each day, as well as what you must do to get through life. However, things do change as we age. As you grow older, your ability to do certain things will determine whether you will live independently or need help. Your doctor will expect you to go for routine geriatric assessments to complete a comprehensive evaluation needed to determine if you can balance your specific needs with your abilities.
The specialist will use a geriatric test to determine where you are currently, and what you require to live the life you desire to have. After a thorough evaluation, your doctor will arrange the necessary resources to help you out anytime, anywhere. As an aging adult, you will likely need to go through various assessments, with your doctor measuring issues such as:
- Physical health
- Nutrition
- Balance of fall prevention
- Hearing
- Vision
- Mental health
- Functional ability.
During a functional ability assessment, your doctor will check out your ability to perform daily activities like bathing, eating, dressing, using the bathroom, how well your bladder and bowel functions, etc. The care provider will also assess your regular instrumental activities like managing finances, medical management and handling a household.
Primary care
You do not need to have a health condition to contact your doctor. Occasionally, your doctor will request that you see him or her for a routine evaluation so they can assess your overall health. The physical examinations your doctor suggests will help you understand and discuss any complications, ongoing symptoms, or other health concerns you could be experiencing.
Your care provider may also use the tests to:
- Update you on necessary immunizations
- Identify a problem that is likely to pose a threat to your health in the future
- Check out for the possibility of an illness and treat it before it advances to a severe state
- Ensure you are observing a healthy diet and exercising
During such examinations, your doctor will analyze your medical history and evaluate your lifestyle. The professional will then inspect your body for any unusual marks or growths before checking your individual organs' tenderness, size, location, texture and consistency.
Your blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol can sometimes be elevated even without symptoms. Therefore, routine visits to your doctor will help him or her detect such rises and devise a plan to manage them before they advance and affect your life adversely.
You should not wait until you start showing symptoms before contacting your doctor for medical assistance. Since regular visits to your doctor are crucial to help point out possible health threats, be sure to schedule an appointment with a medical professional today to learn more about geriatric care.