Challenges Faced by a Geriatric Patient

When it comes to health and healthcare, senior citizens face challenges that they may not have faced in their youth. Many of these issues can be problematic and hinder their ability to properly care for themselves, particularly when they live alone. Healthcare providers should take these challenges into consideration in order to provide the highest level of care to their geriatric patients.

Lack of Transportation - Many elderly patients live alone and no longer drive. This can have a negative effect on the patient's ability to keep appointments, pick up prescriptions or have testing done.

Fixed Incomes – Fixed incomes can make it difficult for geriatric patients to afford their prescription medications or eat in a healthy manner. This often causes them to choose between their health and necessities such as paying for their electricity. In some cases financial strain may cause them to abandon certain medications in favor of medications that they feel are more important. Physicians can help ease this burden by offering geriatric patients who are in financial need samples of medications that they've been given by the pharmaceutical companies.

Confusion – Some elderly patients may suffer from confusion or forgetfulness. This can be a challenge for elderly patients depending on the severity of the confusion or forgetfulness. In this case a caregiver may become a necessity. To help with mild cases of confusion, such as changes in medication usage, it is helpful for caregivers to write down the changes in addition to telling the patient what to do. In addition, it is also helpful for geriatric patient's who suffer from mild cases of confusion to bring a friend or family member to his or her appointments.

Depression – Depression is another common challenge for geriatric patients, that often goes undiagnosed. In situations where a spouse has passed away or friends and siblings are deceased, an elderly patient may experience depression that makes it difficult to care for his or herself properly. Caregivers and physicians should take note of their patient's demeanor when providing care and talk with them to determine any signs of potential depression that may require treatment.