Geriatrics

What is geriatric care?

Geriatric medicine focuses on patients who are 60 years and older, though there is no “official” age when one enters geriatric care. The goal of geriatric care is to promote health and wellness as you enter your golden years by preventing disease and disability, affording you a better quality of life.

Finding the right point person to coordinate your care as you age is very important. As an internist, Dr. Raccuglia is skilled at understanding and spotting issues before they become significant problems, and he understands how the aging process can affect your overall health. 

Sometimes a simple medical condition can be complicated by the aging process, which may lead to a different treatment plan. In these cases, Dr. Raccuglia will help you coordinate your care by finding you the healthcare professionals you need.

What are the common problems associated with aging?

Thanks to modern medicine, Americans are living longer than ever; in fact, the average life expectancy in the United States is almost 79 years old, which is ten years older than it was in 1950. With increased life expectancy, however, comes increased chances for illness and disease.

Age-related diseases and conditions are varied, but the most common problems associated with aging are:

• Osteoarthritis
• Heart disease
• Dementia
• Cancer
• Alzheimer’s
• Depression
• Vision and hearing loss

Dr. Raccuglia has extensive experience in dealing with all of these issues, and as a diagnostician, he can quickly identify and treat these medical problems.

What are some good preventive techniques for aging health?

The good news with aging is that there is a lot you can do to maintain your health. The first step is to have Dr. Raccuglia perform regular physical exams and wellness checks. During these exams, Dr. Raccuglia will keep track of the following:

• Height and weight
• Cognitive functions
• Vitals, such as heart rate and blood pressure
• Overall appearance

Also during these exams, the doctor will note any risk factors and go over ways you can improve them, such as:

• Nutrition
• Exercise
• Hydration

Dr. Raccuglia’s goal is to help you maintain a healthy and active life as you age, and he will work with you to achieve that goal.