GERIATRIC
The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people.
A specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people.
It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults.
There is no set age at which patients may be under the care of a geriatrician or geriatric physician.
Caring for Older Adults
Older adults have special healthcare needs that can make their medical care more complicated.
More than half of adults age 65 and older have 3 or more medical problems, such as heart disease,
diabetes, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, or high blood pressure.
Caring for older people with multiple health problems can be tricky, even for healthcare professionals
who specialize in geriatrics, the branch of medicine dedicated to the promotion of health and the
prevention and treatment of disease in later life.
For example, prescribing medications for a patient with multiple health problems is more complex. A drug that
might be useful in treating one health problem can make another problem worse, and taking multiple medications
can cause problematic drug interactions and side effects. Geriatric patients account for 34%of all prescription
medications consumed in the United States. The average number of medications taken daily by an older adult
patient who does not live in an institution is 4-5
Geriatrician or geriatric physician
A physician who specializes in the care of elderly people.
a doctor who is specially trained to evaluate and manage the unique healthcare needs and treatment
preferences of older people.
Geriatricians are board-certified internists or family physicians who have additional training and
certification in geriatrics. Because of their special training, geriatricians typically provide care for frail older
people who have the most complicated medical and social problems.
An adult gerontological nurse practitioner is an advanced practice registered nurse who has additional
training to provide care to older adults across the wellness-illness continuum.
It is important to note the difference between geriatrics, the care of aged people, and gerontology,
Geriatrics: The Team Approach
Geriatrics is known for its team approach to caring for older people and supporting their families and other
caregivers. The geriatrics care team may include but not be limited to any or all of the following professionals:
Geriatrician
Nurse
Nurse practitioner
Physician assistant
Social worker
Consultant pharmacist
Nutritionist
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Speech and hearing specialist
Psychiatrist
Psychologist
These professionals evaluate the older person’s medical, social, emotional, and other needs. The team
also focuses on health concerns common in older people such as incontinence, falls, memory problems,
and managing multiple chronic conditions and medications.
The geriatrics team:
1. Evaluates the person’s social supports and living situation
2. Considers the person’s ability to perform daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating
3. Gives special attention to patient preferences and values in care planning
When do Elderly Need a Geriatrician?
A geriatrician should be consulted when:
An older person’s condition causes significant impairment and frailty. These patients tend to be over the
age of 75 and have a number of diseases and disabilities, including cognitive (memory) problems.
Family members and friends are under significant stress as caregivers.
Family members and patients have trouble following complex treatments, or dealing with many
healthcare providers for their multiple health problems.
Philippines
Situation of older people
The number of older people is growing
In the Philippines, the number of older people is increasing rapidly, faster than growth in the
total population.
In 2000, there were 4.6 million senior citizens (60 years or older), representing about 6% of the
total population. In one decade, this grew to 6.5 million older people or about 6.9% of the total
population
The National Statistics Office projects that by 2030, older people will make up around 11.5 % of
the total population
Older people need care and support
An ageing population increases the demand for health services
Older people suffer from both degenerative and communicable diseases due to the ageing of
the body’s immune system.
The leading causes of morbidity are infections, while visual impairment, difficulty in walking,
chewing, hearing, osteoporosis, arthritis and incontinence are other common health-related
problems
Older people struggle with poverty
According to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), a nearly a third
(31.4%) of older people were living in poverty in 2000
Currently, this number is estimated to be 1.3 million older people
More than half of all older people (57.1%) were employed in 2000. More males were employed
(63.6%) than women (37.4%). The majority of those employed (41%) were involved in primary
economic activities such as farming, forestry work and fishing.
Below are the key statistics on the Philippine’s population of older people:
2012 2050
Older people (total) 5,905,000 23,633,000
Older people as percentage of total population 6.1% 15.3%
Life expectancy (males) 66 –
Life expectancy (females) 73
2012
Old age dependency ratio (ratio of people 65+ to those of working age) 7%
Older people in poverty 1.3 M
Older women as a percentage of the population aged 60+ 53.8%
Government policies related to older people
The Philippine Government has enacted laws that cater to the needs and provides privileges and
benefits to older persons.
National policy on older people
Republic Act No. 344 or the Accessibility Law of 1982
provides for the minimum requirements and standards to make buildings, facilities, and utilities
for public use accessible to persons with disability, including older persons who are confined to
wheelchairs and those who have difficulty in walking or climbing stairs, among others.
Republic Act No. 7876 entitled “An Act Establishing a Senior Citizens Center in all Cities and
Municipalities of the Philippines, and Appropriating Funds Therefore”
provides for the establishment of Senior Citizens Centers to cater to older persons’ socialization
and interaction needs as well as to serve as a venue for the conduct of other meaningful
activities.
The DSWD in coordination with other government agencies, NGOs and people’s organizations
shall provide the necessary technical assistance in the form of social and recreational services,
health and personal care services, spiritual services, livelihood services and volunteer resource
services.
Republic Act No. 8425
provides for the institutionalization and enhancement of the social reform agenda by creating the
National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC).
Through its multi-dimensional and cross-sectorial approach, NAPC provides a mechanism for older
persons to participate in policy formulation and decision-making on matters concerning poverty
alleviation.
Republic Act No. 10155, known as “The General Appropriations Act of 2012”,
under Section 28 mandates that all government agencies and instrumentalities should allocate
one percent of their total agency budget to programs and projects for older persons and
persons with disabilities.
Republic Act No. 9994, known as “Expanded Seniors Citizen Act of 2010″,
an act granting additional benefits and privileges to senior citizens, further amending Republic
Act No. 7432 and otherwise known as “an act to maximize the contribution of senior citizens to
nation building, grant benefits and special privileges and for other purposes”.
Presidential Proclamations and Executive Orders
Presidential Proclamation No. 470, Series of 1994, declaring the first week of October of every
year as “Elderly Filipino Week.”
Presidential Proclamation No. 1048, Series of 1999,
declaring a “Nationwide Observance in the Philippines of the International Year of Older
Persons”.
Executive Order No. 105, Series of 2003,
approved and directed the implementation of the program providing for group homes and
foster homes for neglected, abandoned, abused, detached, and poor older persons and persons
with disabilities.
The Philippine Plan of Action for Senior Citizens (2011-2016)
This plan aims to ensure giving priority to community-based approaches which are gender-
responsive, with effective leadership and meaningful participation of senior citizens in decision-
making processes, both in the context of family and community.
This plan of action aims to ensure active aging for senior citizens where preventive and
promotive aspects of health are emphasized in communities and where health services are
accessible, affordable and available at all times.
Envisioning a population of senior citizens who are self-sufficient and self-reliant, this plan aims
to promote financial security and financial independence of senior citizens by developing
community-based local delivery systems to address their needs.
Health and care
The Department of Social Welfare Development (DSWD) has issued Administrative Order No. 4
series of 2010, “Guidelines on the Home Care Support Services for Senior Citizens”, establishing
community based health care services for older persons.
The RA 9994
provides health care services for poor older persons such as free medical services on
government hospitals, discounted services on private hospitals and clinics, free vaccines,
discounted medicines, and mandatory PhilHealth coverage.
Older people’s associations
The Philippine Constitution supports the formation of community based organizations. The
DSWD have facilitated the formation of older people’s associations in every city and
municipality.
They are also tasked to provide technical assistance to support and strengthen OPAs(Older
people Association)
Social pension
Under the RA 9994,
the Philippine Government provides a social pension of 12USD (Php500) per month to poor
older persons aged 77 and over who are not yet receiving any government or private pension.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development is the lead agency tasked with identifying
and reviewing for social pension beneficiaries.
