Seniors have unique characteristics that differentiate them from younger populations.  The majority of health care practitioners caring for older patients have not been adequately trained.  As a result, many practitioners treat an 85 year old patient in the same manner as a 50 year old patient – despite the remarkable differences between these patient populations. Too often, illnesses in older adults are misdiagnosed, overlooked or dismissed as the normal process of aging simply because health care professionals are not trained to recognize how diseases and drugs affect older patients differently than younger patients.

When selecting a Geriatrician, look for someone who has been Fellowship Trained.  Many practitioners who call themselves Geriatricians are self-proclaimed or have received no advanced training.  If your geriatrician is also trained in Internal Medicine, you can check with the American Board of Internal Medicine to check his or her Board Certification status.