We need geriatric specialists more than ever!
As a geriatrician hospitalist, one of my challenges is discussing geriatric syndromes (will talk about later what they are) like dementia, frailty, falls etc and follow-up plans with my patients and their families we struggle to find a geriatric provider for outpatient follow up🤷♀️
There are multiple reasons for this. Geriatric training is not mandatory in all medical schools and residency programs, and although geriatricians require at least one year of extra training, it is not compensated accordingly🧐
I believe that as we increase awareness about the importance of the geriatric field and demand optimal care for our elderly patients this demand will increase supply, and we will see more geriatric-friendly care models in hospitals and communities.
See the recent article from “Becker’s Hospital Review “ pointing to these issues.
https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/care-coordination/geriatric-care-demand-outstrips-supply.html HOW OLD ARE WE ACTUALLY AS A PPOPULATION 👀
Let’s look at some demographics from the Geriatric Review Series📊
The number and proportion of older adults are increasing globally because of the increase in life expectancy and the decline in fertility and mortality.
Decrease in fertility: 🐣
Global fertility is projected to drop from 5 per woman in the 1950s to about 2.5 per woman between 2015 and 2020
Life expectancy: 🔮
Between 2015 and 2020, life expectancy is 79 years in more developed regions and 71 years in less developed areas.
Between 2045 and 2050 – 83 years in more developed regions, 76 years in less developed regions.
Proportion ≥65 years old US:
2018 – 16%
2025 – 19%
2030 – 20.6% (1 in 5 Americans)
Number ≥85 years old in the US:
2018 – 6.5 million
2030 – 9 million
2050 – 18.6 million (5% of total population)
A statistic created by the World Health Organization Measures years of life expectancy free from morbidity and injury💪
Healthy life expectancy in the United States, 2016:
At birth – 68.5 years for both sexes, 70.1 years for women, 66.9 years for men (the US ranks 40th out of 183 countries included in the report)
At age 60 – 17.9 years for both sexes, 19.0 years for women, 16.7 years for men (the US ranks 31st out of 183 countries included in the report)
Research shows that one-third of older adults over 65 need expert care from a geriatrician 🩺
However, according to Health Resources and Services Administration data, the number of geriatricians will increase modestly, but demand will rise steeply.
By the way, how old is the US population 🧐
“As of 2022, the median age of the U.S. population was 38.9 years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This is older than the population has ever been, with the median age increasing from 30.0 in 1980. The median age is the age at which half of the population is older and half is younger”
As physicians, our primary goal is to positively impact our patients’ lives. Whether or not we succeed depends on many factors, but when we do make a significant improvement, it’s always a success worth celebrating. Today, as a geriatrician, I feel that impact more deeply than usual. It wasn’t just
When most people think of dementia, they likely picture memory loss as the first sign. While memory problems are indeed one of the most common symptoms, dementia can present in many other ways—especially in a hospital setting. Some patients with dementia have already received a formal diagnosis, while others may
It should not be ignored ✅ ❣️ How big an issue is this? It’s common enough that I often wish I had an electric nail trimmer and the skills necessary to assist some of my hospitalized patients. 😜 📈 Approximately one-third of older adults experience some form of toenail problem.
First things first, let’s start with a definition😎 A fall is a landing on the ground or a lower level without meaning to🤷♀️It is one of the most common geriatric syndromes seen in hospitalized older adults. 🏃♂️One out of three older adults falls each year. Not all falls require
I am a board certified physician in Internal Medicine and Geriatrics. My goal is to increase awareness and appreciation of geriatric care!
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