Why you can’t find a doctor who specializes in caring for older adults, and what to do if you need healthcare services for an elder. 

Geriatricians, doctors that specialize in caring for older adults, are in short supply and the numbers are only going down.

The importance of geriatricians, why you need one: 

• Geriatricians know how older adults respond to specific medications
• They can tell the difference between age related aches and pains, and a more serious condition
• They recognize age-related memory loss compared to early stage dementia
• They know how to communicate with older adults and how to listen to them¹
• They know how to coordinate complex care and are familiar with the way Elder law attorneys help seniors get care in their homes or other settings. 

The Problem – Why you can’t find a geriatrician. 

There are currently 55 million Americans over the age of 65.  The fastest growing age group in the country is made up of people 85 and older.  There are only about 7,400 geriatricians in the US. That’s 1 geriatrician for every 7,500 seniors.²

With such a shortage of specialized doctors caring for older adults, and the numbers continuing to decline, how can you find the right care? 

The Solution – What you can do. 

As an Elder Law attorney, I am keenly aware of the gap between the legal and financial plan we create for our clients to access and pay for long-term care and the actual personal care that is available.  But, there is help.  Our firm routinely works with Aging Life Care Profesionals (formerly known as Geriatric Care Managers) to bridge this gap for our clients.  

The Aging Life Care Association is an organization that will help you find an Aging Life Care Professional in your area.  An Aging Life Care Professional “acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults.”

According to aginglifecare.org, when caregiving for an aging family member becomes overwhelming, it may be time to contact an Aging Life Care Professional.

You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if the person you are caring for: 

• has multiple medical or psychological issues
• is unable to live safely in their current environment 
• is not pleased with the current care providers and requires advocacy
• has limited or no family support

 Or if your family: 

• has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services
• is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions
• has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with the individual’s chronic care needs
• is at odds regarding care decisions
• needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia

Contact us to connect with the Aging Life Care Professional we recommend to all of our clients who are experiencing any of the above problems or concerns. Call us at 866-227-3994 or Email us directly. 

Or, use this link to find an Aging Life Care Professional in your area.  Find an Aging Life Care Professional. 

1. Gleckman, H. (2023, August 15). Why Do So Few Doctors Want To Specialize In Caring For Older Adults? Forbes.com. Retrieved September 7, 2023, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/howardgleckman/2023/08/15/why-do-so-few-doctors-want-to-specialize-in-caring-for-older-adults/?sh=55a8d71b71c2 ↩︎
2. id. ↩︎