After completing this chapter, students will be able to: Relate growth and development to pediatric patient care, identify the role of the medical assistant during pediatric examinations, discuss pediatric immunizations and the role of the medical assistant, | 41 Assisting in Geriatrics Learning Outcomes (cont.) Relate developmental changes in geriatric patients to medical assisting practice. Describe common geriatric diseases and disorders and their treatment. Identify variations of care for geriatric patients during examinations, screening procedures, diagnostic tests, and treatments. Explain special health concerns of geriatric patients. Introduction Geriatrics Special concerns of the elderly Specialists ~ geriatricians Growing field due to longer health spans Medical assistants 50% of practice is caring for older patients Need a knowledge of their unique needs Learning Outcome: Relate developmental changes in geriatric patients to medical assisting practice. Geriatrics is the field of medicine concerned with the problems of aging. It is a subspecialty of internal medicine and family medicine. Elderly patients – those over 65 will be cared for by a specialist in geriatrics. Geriatricians – specialists | 41 Assisting in Geriatrics Learning Outcomes (cont.) Relate developmental changes in geriatric patients to medical assisting practice. Describe common geriatric diseases and disorders and their treatment. Identify variations of care for geriatric patients during examinations, screening procedures, diagnostic tests, and treatments. Explain special health concerns of geriatric patients. Introduction Geriatrics Special concerns of the elderly Specialists ~ geriatricians Growing field due to longer health spans Medical assistants 50% of practice is caring for older patients Need a knowledge of their unique needs Learning Outcome: Relate developmental changes in geriatric patients to medical assisting practice. Geriatrics is the field of medicine concerned with the problems of aging. It is a subspecialty of internal medicine and family medicine. Elderly patients – those over 65 will be cared for by a specialist in geriatrics. Geriatricians – specialists in geriatrics By the year 2030, more than 20% of the population will be 65 years of age or older. The elderly are not simply older versions of young adults. They typically have more and unique health concerns. The Geriatric Patient Physical changes of aging Make the elderly more prone to diseases and disorders Not all people experience all changes Changes occur at different rates Learning Outcome: Relate developmental changes in geriatric patients to medical assisting practice. It is important to be aware of the physical changes that make the geriatric patient more prone to diseases and disorders. Geriatric patients also experience cognitive-intellectual, psycho-social, and emotional changes. Some aspects of geriatric patient care are age-specific. Physical Changes of Aging All body systems begin to show signs of aging. Not all people experience all changes, Changes occur at different rates. Physical Changes of Aging Integumentary system Thinning skin, with atrophy of .
