Finding The Right Health Care Professionals: Who Does What?
Older adults 65 and older use more healthcare services than younger adults. The primary cause is that many older adults have at least one chronic condition that requires care. Older adults are also more likely to use healthcare services because older populations are at higher risk for many diseases, and they’re investing in preventative care.
While older adults are more likely to seek medical care than younger adults, 25 percent of adults 50 to 64 and 13 percent 65 and older report putting off medical care, according to a recent survey.
There are many reasons why someone puts off care. One reason is that they lack financial resources or community availability. Another prominent reason is that many specialized health services exist, and some people don’t know who to go to.
Types of Healthcare Professionals
Whatever your age or health status, it’s helpful to know what types of health professionals are out there and how they may improve the quality of your life as you age. Below are a handful of health care professionals with whom many of our senior clients interact regularly.
Home Health Aids And Caregivers
Home health aids and caregivers are among the more common professionals that seniors seek as they age. However, they are actually considered more of a healthcare worker than a healthcare professional because they do not provide medical care. They are trained individuals who assist seniors with non-medical tasks. These tasks vary depending on the caregiver and their services, including housekeeping, cooking, personal grooming, transportation, mobility assistance, and medication reminders.
Geriatricians
Geriatricians are doctors who specifically work with the aging population. Geriatricians are trained in the aging body and know more about age-related conditions than the average general practitioner.
Many older adults turn to geriatricians as their primary care doctor once they are about 65 years old. While geriatricians primarily see older adults, age is not the defining factor for seeing one. Johns Hopkins recommends seeing a geriatrician if you suffer from multiple conditions, have an age-related disease like osteoporosis or dementia, or if you’re managing multiple medications.
If you need specialized care, you can find geriatricians near Gadsden online on MediFind, where you can also see feedback from past or current patients. Additionally, consider reaching out to your current doctor.
Dietitians
A dietitian is a licensed health professional specializing in nutrition and diet. Some people associate dietitians with weight loss or healthy eating, but they do more than help people lose weight through dieting.
Dietitians are helpful for older adults who have food allergies or eating complications. Some are specialized dietitians who work with people with chronic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, helping patients maintain healthy diets that don’t trigger adverse side effects related to their condition.
You can find dietitians near Gadsden at Healthgrades or talk to your primary care doctor for a referral.
Dermatologist
Dermatologists are medical professionals who specialize in treating skin, hair, and nails. Since skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the United States, people of all ages, especially older adults who spend a lot of time outside, need to see a dermatologist annually.
Dermatologists don’t just treat and prevent skin cancer. They can treat other skin and nail ailments such as chronic dry skin, rashes, brittle nails, and skin irritations.
Therapists
A therapist is a broad field, defining a person specializing in a specific therapy type. A few common types of therapists for older adults include:
- Physical therapists provide physical therapy through exercise, massages, and other treatments to help with chronic pain or mobility limitations.
- Occupational therapists help people perform and develop skills needed to remain independent and self-sufficient.
- Speech therapists or pathologists help people with communication and can also help older adults with chewing and swallowing complications.
Working With Visiting Angels
Visiting Angels is a locally owned and operated home care agency. Our compassionate caregivers assist seniors throughout Blount, Marshall, and Etowah Counties, helping them remain safe and independent at home.
Contact our office to learn more about how our caregiving services can fit into your care plan.