How to talk to a loved one about seeing a geriatrician

It can be hard to address age-related health problems with a loved one. Rest assured that you are not alone in navigating this challenging and sensitive topic. You can help your loved one by connecting them with a geriatric physician who can offer them – and you – much more support in the coming years. Whether you’re heavily involved in caring for a loved one, or just noticing signs of aging that may be better addressed by a geriatrician, UNT Health Fort Worth Clinical Practice Group is here to help. Keep reading for practical tips to start the conversation.

 

What is a geriatric doctor and how might my loved one benefit?

A geriatrician is a primary care provider for individuals 65 and older. They are trained to manage multiple chronic conditions, medication and age-related functional and cognitive decline. A geriatrician coordinates care for the patient, working with other providers and the caregiver to ensure a cohesive care plan. At UNT Health’s Center for Older Adults, patients are supported not only by a geriatrician but also:

• Clinical pharmacists

• Health coaches

• Neuropsychologists

• Neurologists

• Social workers

• Community partners such as James L. West Dementia Center

With these geriatrician specialists, as well as other specialties like dermatology and cardiology in the building, it is easy to make referrals. Quest Diagnostics is also our on-site lab, making it convenient to access all facets of care that an older adult may need. A few reasons to switch to a geriatric medical doctor may include:

• Memory concerns

• Multiple medications

• Chronic conditions

• Mobility Issues

 

Common barriers older adults have to seeing a geriatrician doctor

Some individuals see geriatricians as adversaries who will push for new measures that may limit the patient’s independence. To the contrary, your geriatrician is an advocate for you to make necessary lifestyle changes to maintain your independence as long as possible.

At UNT Health Center for Older Adults, we practice the 4Ms of age-friendly care:

1. What matters

This step focuses on understanding what matters most to the patient concerning their health goals, care preferences, living preferences, etc.

2. Medication

Patients work with their provider and a clinical pharmacist to reduce the burden of having multiple medications, avoid drug interactions and ensure medication isn’t impacting mentation or mobility.

3. Mentation

A provider can address age-related memory issues or depression, but may bring in a neuropsychologist to a patient’s care team to address memory care and dementia.

4. Mobility

It is essential to independence. We assist older adults in staying active and improving mobility and function.

A few other reasons that may delay a switch to a geriatric specialist:

• An older adult may also be in denial or unaware of changes in their health that seem obvious to their loved ones or caretakers.

• They may love their current provider, and are hesitant to start from square one building the relationship with a new provider.

• They might also have a misunderstanding as to what exactly a geriatrician specialist does and how it is different from the care they’re currently receiving.

 

Prepare for the conversation

Before speaking with your loved one, reflect on what you would like to get out of the conversation. What is the goal? What concerns are prompting you to speak up? It can be helpful to gather any facts to support a change. This could be changes in memory, mobility or safety. It can be helpful to have other family members or caregivers for support in this conversation. Learn about geriatric medical doctors in the area and what the clinics offer. Be prepared to present options and explain how these clinics or doctors in particular could be a good fit.

 

Conversation starters that show respect and empathy

A calm tone and loving delivery can go a long way in conversations like these. Especially if your loved one has had changes in mentation, their emotions may be more intense. A few tips to a respectful conversation are:

• Use “I” statements like “I’ve noticed…” or “I’m feeling a little concerned about…”

• Frame it as a partnership, “We can go together,” or “I want to make sure you feel your best.”

• Emphasize benefits, not problems – they will have more time with a specialist, focus on comfort and independence

• Avoid medicalizing too soon — focus on well-being and quality of life

 

What if they say no? Preparing for pushback

It may take more than one conversation before your message is received.

• Acknowledge your loved one’s feelings, listen and ask questions with the goal of understanding.

• Don’t push – you can always revisit the conversation later.

• Suggest starting with a wellness visit knowing, knowing that if it isn’t the right fit, they can always try another provider or practice.

• Consider asking their current doctor to recommend the transition or do a “warm hand-off” to a geriatric medical doctor within their practice group or health system.

How our geriatric physicians support older adults and their families

At UNT Health Center for Older Adults, we provide the most comprehensive geriatric care in Fort Worth. There are many benefits to working with UNT Health Center for Older Adults such as,

• Age-friendly and dementia-friendly designated business

• More than 40 years of experience caring for older adults

• Inter-professional teams of doctors, social workers, memory specialists, neurologists, health coaches, clinical pharmacists are all working together on your care team

• Other specialties at UNT Health include cardiology, dermatology. and gastroenterology. This makes referrals easy.

• On-site labs make bloodwork convenient

• House calls are available in some of Fort Worth’s premiere continuing care communities

• Caregiver support groups and classes

• Chronic care management and medication management assistance

• Community partners like Overture Home Health and James L. West support caregivers and patients alike with respite services, day centers, dementia resources and more

A first visit might look like meeting your geriatrician, reviewing your medical history, and discussing any ongoing chronic conditions and your health goals moving forward. The patient’s goals are primary to their care, and they are in full control of the choices regarding their health.

 

Next steps: How to make the transition easier

There are a few practical ways you can help make the transition to a geriatrician easier.

• Offer to help schedule their appointment

• Go with them to the first visit, if possible

• Bring notes and questions for the doctor

• Encourage them to give it a try at least once

These conversations can be hard, but it is much more loving to be honest and proactive in getting someone help than to wait until there is a serious incident or surprise diagnosis. In the U.S., about 53 million adults are unpaid caregivers to aging parents – you are not alone! Geriatric care can make a huge difference in not only the life of the patient, but also the caregiver. If you’re in the Fort Worth area, take that first step by calling the UNT Health Center for Older Adults at 817-735-2400.