Geriatric Medicine

Geriatrics is a specialty that focuses on the medical needs of the elderly. Much like paediatrics for children, the elderly require specialised care due to their different physiological needs. Geriatric care is recommended for those above age 65, and especially above 75. Depending on their medical needs, it can start as early as age 50. As of 2020, the elderly (65+ years) made up 7.2% of the population, and this is projected to reach 14.5% by 2040. Therefore, geriatrics is becoming an increasingly important medical field in Malaysia due to its aging population.

Besides physiological illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis, there is a group of conditions that is commonly identified in the elderly. These are known as geriatric syndromes and they are usually not linked to a single disease but rather an accumulation of conditions and the inability for the individual to compensate for them.

Geriatricians tend to take care of overall aspects of the elderly’s wellbeing by considering their physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs. As such, they usually work together with your primary care doctor, nurses, occupational therapists, pharmacists, physical therapists, mental health experts, social workers, and even your caregivers and family members.