Senior Health and Geriatrics

Getting the right care as we get older is an important part of healthy ageing. For some older adults, choosing a Geriatric Physician as opposed to the family doctor is often the better choice. A Geriatrician has had additional training in senior health care needs and specialises in disabilities and illnesses that are more common in seniors.

Dr Thusith Muhandiram is our experienced specialist Geriatrician. Dr Muhandiram helps his patients manage their conditions with a focus on quality of life

• Cognitive assessment and Dementia care
• Fall prevention, Frailty and Rehabilitation of the elderly
• Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
• Healthy Ageing
• Pre and Post OP Assessment
• Dementia and delirium
• Behavioural problems secondary to dementia
• Post-stroke optimisation
• Mobility
• Continence problems
• Polypharmacy and medication review
• Pain management

Our Geriatrician knows a lot about ageing and the wide range of conditions that can affect people as they get older. We take a holistic approach to care, considering not only the medical conditions of our patients but also their functional abilities, social support systems, and overall quality of life. We work to optimise health and well-being in older adults, promoting independence and maintaining dignity throughout the aging process.

Cognitive assessment and Dementia care

Our geriatrician helps the patients with memory and thinking problems, like forgetting things or feeling confused. They do this by asking questions and doing tests to understand what’s going on in the brain. If they find signs of dementia, like Alzheimer’s disease, they provide support and guidance to the patient and their family. They might suggest ways to manage memory problems and help them stay safe and independent for as long as possible. They’re like friendly guides, helping navigate the challenges of memory loss and offering comfort and reassurance along the way.

Fall prevention, frailty and rehabilitation of the elderly

Fall Prevention – Geriatricians help older adults stay safe from falls. They do this by looking at things like balance, strength, and any health issues that might make falling more likely. They might suggest exercises to improve balance, changes around the house to make it safer, or even adjustments to medications that could affect balance.

Frailty – Geriatricians understand that as people get older, they can become more fragile or ‘frail’. They work with older adults to help them stay strong and active for as long as possible. This might involve exercises to build strength, nutrition advice to keep muscles healthy, and other strategies to prevent frailty from getting worse.

Rehabilitation – If an older adult has trouble moving or doing everyday activities, geriatricians help them get back on track through rehabilitation. This could involve exercises, physical therapy, or other treatments to improve mobility and independence. The goal is to help older adults stay as active and independent as possible, even if they’re dealing with health issues or recovering from an injury.

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, or CGA, is like a thorough health check-up for older adults. It covers physical health, mental well-being, and social support. Geriatricians use this assessment to understand an older person’s needs and create a personalised care plan to help them stay healthy and independent for as long as possible.

Healthy Ageing

Our geriatrician can help older people stay healthy and active as they age. They do this by checking on their health regularly, managing any medical conditions they have, and helping them with things like staying active, eating well, and avoiding falls. They’re like friendly guides who want to make sure older adults feel their best and can enjoy life to the fullest.

Pre and Post OP Assessment

Before someone has surgery (pre-op), a geriatrician checks how healthy they are overall to make sure they’re ready for the operation. They look at their medical history, what medicines they take, and do physical exams to spot any possible problems. If needed, they might suggest extra tests or changes to help the person be as healthy as possible for surgery.

After surgery (post-op), the geriatrician keeps a close eye on the person’s recovery. They watch things like how much pain they’re in, if they can move around well, and if there are any complications. They work with other doctors and nurses to make sure the person gets the right care and help during their recovery. They might also give advice on exercises, managing medicines, and making lifestyle changes to help the person recover quickly and smoothly.

Dementia and delirium

Geriatricians play a crucial role in understanding and managing these conditions to help older adults and their families navigate through these challenging situations with care and compassion.

Dementia is like a fog that clouds a person’s thinking and memory. A geriatrician helps by understanding the signs and symptoms, conducting tests to diagnose it, and providing support and guidance for both the person with dementia and their family. They might suggest strategies to manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

Delirium is a sudden confusion that can happen when someone is sick or recovering from surgery. Geriatricians are skilled at recognising delirium, finding the cause, and treating it. They work to bring the person back to clarity and ensure their safety and comfort during this time.

Behavioural problems secondary to dementia

When someone has dementia, they might start acting in ways that are unusual or challenging. Geriatricians help by figuring out why these behaviors are happening and finding ways to manage them. They might suggest changes in the environment, medications, or techniques to help calm the person down or make things easier for everyone involved. Basically, they work to make things as smooth and comfortable as possible for both the person with dementia and their caregivers.

Post-stroke optimisation

After someone has a stroke, a geriatrician helps them get better by watching over their progress closely. They might suggest exercises and therapies to help them move better and feel stronger. They also give advice on how to stay healthy and prevent another stroke, like managing blood pressure and cholesterol. Basically, they work to make sure the person gets the best care to recover well and stay healthy after a stroke.

Mobility

Our geriatrician can help with mobility by finding ways to improve an older person’s ability to move around comfortably and safely. They might suggest exercises to strengthen muscles, recommend assistive devices like canes or walkers, or even suggest changes to the home environment to make it easier to get around. The goal is to help the person stay active and independent for as long as possible.

Continence problems

Our geriatrician can help with continence problems by finding ways to manage issues like bladder or bowel control. They might suggest lifestyle changes, exercises, or medications to improve control. They also offer support and guidance to help the person feel more comfortable and confident managing these issues. Essentially, they work to help the person stay dry and comfortable.

Pain management

Our geriatrician can help with pain management by figuring out what’s causing the pain and finding ways to make it better. They might suggest medications, exercises, or other treatments to help reduce the pain and improve quality of life. They also offer support and guidance to help the person cope with pain and stay as comfortable as possible. Overall, they work to help the person feel better and enjoy life more, even if they’re living with pain.

Polypharmacy and medication review

Our geriatrician can help with polypharmacy (taking multiple medications) by reviewing all the medicines an older person is taking. They check if there are any interactions or side effects that could cause problems. They might suggest changes or adjustments to the medicines to make sure they’re safe and effective. The goal is to simplify the medication regimen and reduce the risk of complications.

Our Aged Care Specialist