Geriatric Consultation at
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
Geriatrics is the branch of medicine dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and disability in later life. A geriatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained to manage the unique health concerns of older patients.
Common medical problems treated by geriatricians include memory loss, arthritis and chronic pain, anxiety or depression, weight loss, incontinence, and falls.
The ability to maintain independence is typically important to older patients, so the geriatric team will also look at many aspects of the patient's life. Who are the caregivers and how are they doing? How well does the patient's home serve his or her needs? Does the patient need help with daily activities such as dressing, bathing and preparing food? These are some of the questions that geriatricians ask when they evaluate a patient's health.
Harvard Vanguard Offers a Full Range of Geriatric Services
Geriatricians are specially trained to provide consultation for older patients who have complicated medical and social problems. The geriatric services available within Harvard Vanguard include:
- Office-based geriatric consultation
- Post-hospitalization care in skilled nursing facilities
- Palliative care consultation for symptom relief and psychosocial support
- Advance care planning
Geriatric consultations can be scheduled at our Braintree, Medford, Watertown, and West Roxbury practice locations.
Geriatric Consultation at Harvard Vanguard
Our skilled geriatricians have experience with the aging process and can help patients set realistic goals of treatment that incorporate the patients' values, helping them maintain quality of life. They evaluate patients experiencing memory problems, difficulties with walking and frequent falling, incontinence and problems with mood or behavior that affect their ability to remain safe, independent and healthy.
Since the medical issue of aging can be very complex, we use a team approach to coordinate geriatric care, working with nurses, social workers, mental health professionals, physical therapists and others. Our team participates in monthly case reviews to maintain continuity and integrate care of these patients with the range of elder services available within Harvard Vanguard and among the communities we serve.
Preparing for the Consultation
Appointments are generally 60-90 minutes for the first visit and 30-60 minutes for follow-up visits if needed.
- It is essential for family members or caregivers to come to the consultation visit. If an older patient lives alone with no family or caregiver, we encourage a trusted friend to come to the visit.
- While our geriatricians will have access to your Harvard Vanguard medical records, it is important to bring along copies of any evaluations, hospital discharge summaries, etc., that may have occurred outside of the Harvard Vanguard care network.
- Please bring an up-to-date medication list and all bottles of medication (including over-the-counter pills) that you take, even if just occasionally.
- If you use a cane or walker, it is important to bring that to the visit as well.
After the initial geriatric consultation, a report will be sent to your primary care doctor who will work with the geriatric team to implement recommendations. In addition, we will provide a summary of our assessment and recommendations, including written educational materials and contact information for community resources. Follow-up visits with the primary care team and geriatrician will be arranged as needed.
Insurance and Referrals
Harvard Vanguard offers geriatric consultation for patients 65 and older who are referred by their primary care physician. You or your caregiver can speak with your primary care physician to arrange a referral.
Typically, your health insurance will cover some or all of these services. Please check your health insurance plan for details of your specific coverage.
