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Geriatric medicine is the treatment and management of medical problems in elderly patients (those over 65). Care of the elderly is a very broad speciality, encompassing all aspects of health and illness in older people. A doctor who specialises in this field is known as a Consultant Geriatrician.
At Circle Health Group, we offer specific care of the elderly consultations, where highly trained specialists take a holistic view of the multiple and complex complaints and conditions that can arise as we get older.
Whether you are getting in touch about your own treatment, or to arrange a care of the elderly consultation for a parent or loved one, you'll benefit from our Consultants' wide experience as well as our commitment to friendly, personalised care.
When you choose Circle Health Group for your care of the elderly consultation, you'll benefit from the wide expertise of our multidisciplinary teams. As well as Consultant Geriatricians, we have specialist Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Radiographers, Pain Management specialists and more, all on hand to help you get the best care possible.
We take a holistic approach to treatment, which takes into account the physical, mental and social impact of any symptoms you're having, and looks at this in the context of any other issues affecting you and your family members.
We will work closely with your GP, social services, and anyone else involved with your care to ensure you receive the support you need at every stage. Many of our older patients and their families find that having one person overseeing their care is a huge help and can take a weight off their minds during what can be an uncertain and changeable phase of life.
As we get older, health problems become more likely, and we are more inclined to suffer from multiple complaints at the same time. That's why it can be helpful to see someone who specialises not in treating one condition, but in treating a specific type of patient.
Modern medicine is usually broken down by speciality, which is fine when you have one problem. For example, if you have a painful hip, a hip specialist can help you.
However, if you have multiple or overlapping problems, it can be difficult to know which specialist to see first.
It's also the case that people of different ages may react differently to certain medicines and treatments. What works for a younger person might not be appropriate for elderly patients.
So, if you arrange a care of the elderly consultation, your Consultant Geriatrician will assess your overall health, address multiple symptoms at once, and put together a holistic treatment plan bespoke to your individual needs.
If you do need to see a specialist within a certain field of medicine, your Consultant Geriatrician will know the best person for the job and can refer you with ease.
What is the geriatric medicine age range?
Geriatric medicine focuses on people who are 65 and older.
Is a geriatric consultation right for me?
If you are over 65 and have one or more health concerns that you would like help with, a care of the elderly consultation could help you.
Perhaps you are frustrated with visiting different doctors for different issues. Maybe you're struggling to get appointments as soon as you would like. Or perhaps you are just looking for treatment with a dedicated specialist.
Alternatively, you may be seeking help on behalf of a parent or elderly relative, and simply don't know who to see or where to start.
If this sounds like you, it's time to book a care of the elderly consultation. We provide expert assessment, diagnosis and management of a range of conditions and health concerns in older people, and you can usually arrange your first consultation within 48 hours.
Get in touch today and we'll help you get the support you need. Fast.
Our Consultant Geriatricians help older people with a wide variety of conditions and complaints. Some of the most common problems we see are:
- Memory loss, dementia and acute confusional state (including causes such as Alzheimer’s)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Falls (and resulting injuries)
- Mobility issues
- Bowel problems
- Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders
- Cellulitis
- Headaches and dizziness
- Incontinence
- Anaemia
- Weakness
- Unexplained weight loss
- Shortness of breath
Our Consultant Geriatricians have close working relationships with various healthcare professionals from across our specialities.
If you need the help of a specialist, they can refer you quickly and easily to a Consultant from a department such as:
- Oncology (cancer)
- Haematology (blood)
- Cardiology (heart and blood vessels)
- Dermatology (skin)
- Neurology (nervous system)
You might also benefit from help from another member of our expert team, for example:
Geriatric (care of the elderly) medicine covers a host of problems, so treatment programmes vary widely. At Circle Health Group, we take an individualised approach to all of our treatment programmes, so each person's experience will be unique to them.
Common areas we cover include:
Lifestyle support
Including improving your mobility through physiotherapy, ensuring you are safe and well cared for at home (perhaps with the help of occupational therapists), dietary advice from our team of registered dieticians, and liaising with social services to assess and provide any necessary social care.
Medication
Medications may include medicines to manage long-term health conditions, help with symptoms like pain, or treat infections such as with antibiotics.
Surgical procedures
If your Consultant Geriatrician thinks you will benefit from surgery, for example, a joint replacement, they will refer you to a Consultant Surgeon who specialises in that area.
Whatever options our Consultant thinks are best for you, they will always discuss them with you at length beforehand, carefully explaining the benefits as well as any potential risks, and talking you through the alternative options.
The decision of which treatments to go forward with will always be made together, keeping you feeling safe, supported and informed at all times.
From the first moment you come to us to the moment you are discharged, we aim to make the process as speedy, convenient and reassuring as possible for you.
1. Referral
Your journey will start with a referral.
We accept referrals from GPs or health insurance providers. We also see patients who are paying for their own treatment from start to finish, in which case you can refer yourself. You might also be referred by another department at one of our hospitals, for example, neurology.
We aim to arrange a private consultation for you within as little as 48 hours from referral or first contact, at a time that is convenient for you.
2. Initial consultation
At your first care of the elderly consultation, you will meet your Consultant Geriatrician, the doctor responsible for your care. Your appointment will last around 30 minutes. Your consultant will ask you about your general health, medical, family and social history as well as any medications you are taking. They will perform a thorough physical examination. This is to help them build a comprehensive understanding of your health and any symptoms you're experiencing so that they can offer the best possible care.
Your first appointment is also an opportunity for you to share your goals and needs and to ask any questions you may have. We encourage you to speak in detail about your symptoms and what you hope to get out of your treatment. This is a safe environment, and we understand what you're going through.
It can be useful to bring a partner, friend or loved one with you to your care of the elderly consultation for support. Having someone with you can also help to ensure you don't forget to mention something important, and make sure you've understood everything your Consultant has said.
In some cases, your consultant may order scans or tests to make a full and accurate diagnosis. For example, you might be sent for a blood test, mammography, ultrasound or X-ray. If needed, these can usually be done on-site.
These tests are usually done to rule out certain problems and to put your mind at ease. If there are further questions raised by the results, you might need further tests.
Your Consultant will use all the information gathered in your first appointment to build a personalised treatment programme that will best support your health, individual needs and expectations for treatment.
3. Treatment and aftercare
As discussed above, every person's treatment plan is different and is tailor-made to meet your specific needs. Your consultant may recommend a short-term course of treatment, or you may need to follow a long-term treatment programme.
Whatever your treatment plan, you will be supported by the rest of our expert healthcare team. For example, our Pharmacists can provide any medications you need, while our Consultant Surgeons are on hand should you need an operation.
You will usually have continued care involving one or more follow-up sessions with your Consultant and any other specialists you have worked with. This is to monitor your progress, make sure your treatment and recovery are going as planned, and make any changes if needed. In most older people, treatment tends to be an ongoing process rather than a one-off procedure.
Whatever your circumstances, we offer a highly personalised service led by a Consultant who specialises in the care of the elderly.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you'll benefit from a network of thousands of expert Consultants across more than 50 hospitals in the UK.
There are many benefits of choosing treatment with us, including:
- Flexible appointment times to suit you, right from your first consultation
- Choose which hospital and which Consultant is right for you
- An expert multidisciplinary team ready to put you first
- Consistency of care, so you'll see the same friendly faces from start to finish
- Cutting-edge diagnostic equipment
- Private en-suite rooms with TV and radio for your comfort should you need to stay with us
- Wheelchair access
- Free Parking
- Chaperone facilities available
- Competitive prices, with flexible payment options available
The price of your first appointment with a Consultant Geriatrician will depend on which specialist you see. Each Consultant sets their own fees.
If you use our online booking system, the price for your consultation will be shown before you book.
If you call us directly, our team will let you know what the cost will be before you make the booking.
Our Consultant Geriatricians see people with private medical insurance as well as people who are paying for their own treatment.
