Challenges in Geriatric Medicine and Solutions to Address Age-Related Decline

The high costs of prescription drugs influence non-compliance to medications in older adults. A report from the US National Center for Health Statistics revealed that although 89%of  American adults aged 65 years or above took prescription meds, 4% reported that they didn't fill their prescription meds because of cost while 3% said that they did not take their medications for the same reason. Financial barrier is one of the major constraints to accessing care among the elderly becoming  a significant obstacle for older adults.
In addition to the prohibitive costs of medicines, there are many challenges in addressing age-related decline such as complex health conditions, functional decline, isolation & loneliness, and access to care.

Multiple Health Conditions 

Geriatric medicine is a specialized field that emphasizes the unique health needs of mature adults. However, as the global population ages, the demand for geriatric care continues to grow. Hence, it is difficult to diagnose and treat a patient who has multiple comorbidities. Older adults often have multiple chronic conditions making diagnosis and treatment complex. For example, while medications can treat diseases related to aging, it also increase the risk of drug interactions and adverse effects. Moreover, the elderly often experience sarcopenia which is the loss of muscle mass and strength. It is a major challenge for geriatric medicine because it can result in a decline in functional abilities. Furthermore, sarcopenia increases the risk of falls and eventually, reduces quality of life.

Osteoporosis is another challenge for geriatric medicine. As people age, their bones naturally become thinner and more fragile, increasing the risk of fractures especially in the hip, spine, and wrist. Fractures can cause significant pain, disability, and even death which, in turn, reduces the quality of life. In general, multiple comorbidities result in substantial healthcare costs which can include hospitalization, surgery, and rehabilitation. Others may also experience chronic pain affecting the individual’s overall well-being. Early detection, prevention, and treatment including exercise, nutrition, and fall prevention can help seniors maintain their bone health, independence, and quality of life.

Access to Health Care Services

In addition to the above factors, seniors lack access to aged care services. For example, geographic disparities among the elderly make it difficult to access quality health care especially if they are in rural or underserved areas. Thus, older adults are not able to receive the health care they need which can lead to delayed diagnosis increasing the risk of complications and increased morbidity. Moreover, chronic conditions may not be managed effectively leading to worsening conditions and decreased quality of life. Increased mortality, financial hardship, social isolation, and increased burden on caregivers are the other consequences of inaccessible health care services for the elderly. Hence, expanding healthcare coverage and ensuring that older adults have access to affordable health insurance are solutions in geriatric medicine. Furthermore, increasing the number of health care providers and expanding the availability of geriatricians or specialized healthcare professionals can improve access to health care services for seniors. Another solution is to provide transportation options for seniors to access healthcare facilities. Technology also plays a crucial role in improving access to care by introducing telehealth and remote monitoring. Furthermore, community based programs including social inclusion and those that provide healthcare services to mature adults can also be supported.  

Geriatric medicine is a challenging field and one that is beset with many challenges. Multiple comorbidities and access to healthcare services are major barriers in the effective management of geriatric conditions.