Why Your Family Doctor Might Be Dangerous: The Critical Need for a 'Geriatrician' After Age 70

The Critical Need for a 'Geriatrician' After Age 70

You have probably seen your Family Doctor (Primary Care Physician) for decades. They know your name, your kids, and your history. You trust them.

But as you cross the threshold of 70 or 80, your body changes in ways that general medicine doesn't always address. The standard protocols that save a 40-year-old can be toxic for an 80-year-old.

This is why you need a specialist. Just as a child sees a Pediatrician, a senior with complex needs should see a Geriatrician.

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What is a Geriatrician?

A Geriatrician is a medical doctor who has completed a residency in internal or family medicine and then finished an additional fellowship dedicated exclusively to the care of older adults.

They are not just looking at your organs; they are looking at your Quality of Life. They specialize in "Geriatric Syndromes"—complex conditions like falls, incontinence, dementia, and frailty that don't fit into a single diagnosis code.

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The #1 Reason to Consult One: "Polypharmacy"

The biggest danger in modern senior healthcare is Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications at once). Standard doctors are trained to start medicines; Geriatricians are trained to stop them.

💊 The Prescribing Cascade

It often happens like this:

• Doctor A gives you a pill for high blood pressure.
• The pill makes you dizzy, so you go to Doctor B.
• Doctor B thinks the dizziness is a new disease and gives you a pill for vertigo.
• That pill causes constipation, so you take a laxative...

Before you know it, you are taking 15 pills a day. A Geriatrician is trained to identify this. Their goal is "Deprescribing"—safely removing unnecessary meds to protect your brain and kidneys.

The "4 Ms" of Geriatric Care

While a regular doctor might focus strictly on fixing your numbers (cholesterol, blood sugar), a Geriatrician focuses on the "4 Ms" Framework (Age-Friendly Health Systems):

1. What Matters: What are your goals? Do you want to live as long as possible, or be able to walk to your granddaughter's wedding? Care is aligned with your wishes.
2. Medication: Reviewing every pill to ensure it’s necessary and safe for an aging metabolism.
3. Mentation (Mind): Screening for dementia, depression, and delirium early.
4. Mobility: Ensuring you can move safely to prevent catastrophic falls.

When Should You Switch (or Co-Manage)?

Due to the shortage of specialists in 2026, you don't necessarily need to fire your family doctor. Instead, ask for a "Geriatric Consultation." You should seek this if:

• You are over 75 or feeling "frail."
• You are taking more than 5 medications daily.
• You have multiple chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, arthritis) that conflict with each other.
• You or your family notice memory problems or confusion.
• You have been hospitalized recently and are confused by the discharge plan.

How to Find One

There is a shortage of Geriatricians in the US. To find one:

• Use the "Doctor Finder" on Medicare.gov and filter by specialty "Geriatric Medicine."
• Search the HealthinAging.org directory (managed by the American Geriatrics Society).
• Look for major university hospitals; they are more likely to have a dedicated Geriatrics department.

The Specialist Advantage

Medicine is not one-size-fits-all. A drug dose that is standard for a 50-year-old might cause a fall in an 85-year-old.

Don't be afraid to seek a second opinion from a specialist who understands the unique physiology of aging. It could save you from a mountain of pill bottles and keep you independent for longer.

(Medical Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Never stop taking prescribed medication without consulting your doctor. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.)