With a falling birth-rate and people living longer, it is inevitable that our community is ageing. It is no surprise that geriatric medicine, the medical care of the elderly, has quickly evolved into a major specialty. 

In recent years, general practitioners have been more exposed to health problems in the elderly, and better trained in their management. We can provide advice on the various support services like respite care, day centre attendance, district nurse visits, meals-on-wheels, and home-help. Installation of hand rails in areas like the bathroom and toilet etc.  We can also assess patients' levels of independence and advise whether hostel care or nursing home care would be more suited to their needs. 

It is important for the elderly person to have a regular family doctor, someone who can detect changes in the person's health, treat the more common medical problems, and coordinate the person's overall health care.