Geriatric Medicine
Doctors in this field, like Dr Liz, specialize in personalized care, ensuring seniors get the right treatments without unnecessary medications or complications.
What is Geriatric Medicine?
Cognitive health is a major focus in geriatric medicine because aging increases the risk of memory loss and conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Doctors like Dr Liz play a key role in early detection, diagnosis, and management of these conditions, helping both patients and caregivers navigate the challenges of cognitive decline.
Early Detection & Diagnosis of Memory Issues
Since memory issues can sometimes be mistaken for normal aging, geriatric specialists use cognitive screening tools to differentiate between typical forgetfulness and more serious conditions. Early diagnosis is crucial because some treatments and lifestyle adjustments can slow progression and improve quality of life.
Management & Treatment of Memory Loss
While there’s no cure for most forms of dementia, geriatric medicine focuses on symptom management and supportive care. This includes:
- Medications to slow cognitive decline (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil)
- Cognitive therapy & brain exercises to maintain mental function
- Diet & lifestyle changes, like the Mediterranean diet and regular exercise, which have been shown to support brain health
- Behavioral strategies to address agitation, confusion, or anxiety that often accompany dementia
Support for Dementia Caregivers
Since dementia affects not just the individual but also their loved ones, elder-care professionals help caregivers by providing education, coping strategies, and resources like support groups or respite care options.
In addition to our community, in California we offer personalized TeleHealth appointments with Dr Liz, an expert geriatrician who can provide specific recommendations tailored to your loved one’s needs. Whether you’re looking for advice on managing medications, behavioral strategies, or the emotional toll of caregiving, our goal is to ensure you don’t have to navigate this path alone.
Dr Liz Geriatrics is lucky to have seasoned care managers, nurses and social workers to assist families in sorting through the confusing care issues, how to de-escalate aggression, improve sleep (for the elder, and the caregiver!), minimize medications, help find resources and how to find time for self care.
Of course, our book, Living in the Moment: Overcoming Challenges and Finding Moments of Joy in Alzheimer’s and Other Dementias is an invaluable resource for the complete dementia journey from start to finish.
We are committed to supporting dementia caregivers. With expert advice and a compassionate community, you’ll have the tools to provide the needed care for your loved one.
Whether you’re looking for caregiver tips or one-on-one support, we’re here to guide you through this journey.