Do You Need a Geriatrician? What Seniors and Families Should Know

As health needs change with age, many older adults wonder whether their regular primary care doctor is enough—or if it’s time to see a geriatrician, a doctor who specializes in caring for seniors.

A geriatrician is a physician with additional training in the health and wellbeing of older adults, typically those 65 and older. Their focus isn’t just on treating single diseases; it’s on understanding how multiple conditions, medications, and life circumstances interact as we age.

What Does a Geriatrician Do?

Geriatricians are experts in:

• Multiple chronic conditions
  They manage complex combinations like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and lung disease, aiming to reduce symptoms and maintain independence.

• Medication review (polypharmacy)
  They carefully assess all prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, and supplements to minimize side effects, drug interactions, and unnecessary medications.

• Geriatric syndromes
  These are health issues common in older adults, such as falls, memory problems, frailty, incontinence, dizziness, and unintentional weight loss.

• Cognitive and mood concerns
  Geriatricians evaluate and help manage dementia, mild cognitive impairment, depression, and anxiety, and support families through planning and caregiving.

• Function and independence
  They focus on what matters most to many seniors: staying mobile, living at home safely, and doing daily activities with as little help as possible.

Geriatricians often work closely with nurses, social workers, physical and occupational therapists, and pharmacists as part of a care team.

When Should a Senior Consider Seeing a Geriatrician?

A geriatrician can be especially helpful when:

• There are several ongoing health conditions and care feels fragmented or overwhelming.
• Medication lists are long (often more than five daily prescriptions) or side effects are a concern.
• Memory changes are affecting daily life, finances, driving, or safety.
• Frequent falls, balance problems, or new frailty (weakness, exhaustion, slowed walking, or reduced activity) are present.
• Hospitalizations or ER visits are increasing, especially for similar problems.
• Family caregivers feel burned out or unsure how to manage complex care at home.
• Planning for the future—such as advance care planning or long-term care decisions—is needed.

Some people see a geriatrician as their primary care doctor. Others keep their existing primary care provider and see a geriatrician for consultation on specific issues like dementia, falls, or difficult medication decisions.

How to Decide If It’s the Right Step

Ask these questions:

• Is managing health and medications becoming confusing or stressful?
• Are there new problems—falls, confusion, behavior changes—that aren’t improving?
• Do you or your loved one feel that current care isn’t addressing what matters most, like comfort, independence, or staying at home?

If the answer is yes to any of these, bringing a geriatrician onto the care team can add important expertise. Start by talking with your current primary care provider; they can help determine whether a referral to geriatrics makes sense and how to coordinate care going forward.