One of the most challenging aspects of working as a caregiver to elderly clients, is finding the right doctor. The caregiver, and family members must be careful to choose a doctor who has the right kind of experience to best treat their client, or loved one.
Treating elderly patients can be much more difficult than treating younger people. While the flu, or a common cold can be easily treated in the younger population, they can quickly turn deadly for geriatric patients. Often times older patients have compromised immune systems, due to their advanced age, and must be treated differently than their younger counterparts.
When working in the home care industry, it is always best to attempt to find a doctor who specializes in geriatric medicine. This is not always possible; the next best thing is a general practitioner, with several years of experience, who is well versed in dealing with elderly patients. Many doctors who are fresh out of medical school lack any working experience with elderly patients This lack of experience can turn deadly, so choosing a doctor who has been in the medical field for a few years is highly recommended.
A medical journal, know as Academic Medicine, recently published a list of basic geriatric procedures. Many of these focus on preventative practices, such as avoiding fall hazards, and dealing with common diseases in the elderly. It is important for caregivers to understand what they can do to prevent medical complications. Another study published, by the Institute Of Medicine, in 2008 called “Retooling for an Aged America”, urged caregivers, doctors, and people working in other aspects of the home care industry, to become acquainted with basic geriatric care.
While it can be difficult for a caregiver to find the right doctor for their situation, it is one of the most important things they can do to help their clients. They need to find a doctor that both they, and their client can trust, who is well versed in situations which might arise when dealing with geriatric patients It is also important for home care workers to understand the basic things that they can do to help prevent accidents, or other medical incidents.