Geriatrics is the branch of medical science that deals with the diseases and complex needs specific to the elderly. Its goals are to promote health, prevent and treat diseases with an emphasis on helping to maintain functional independence.
Geriatric doctors work with many other specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients with multiple needs. A certain Dr. Christopher Jones defined it more succinctly as “pediatrics for wrinkly people.”
Despite the fact that the “wrinkly population” is growing by leaps and bounds, to date there are fewer than 10,000 licensed geriatric specialists throughout the United States. We are, therefore, indeed fortunate in Greater New Haven to have an outstanding geriatrics program at Yale-New Haven Hospital, which not only offers some renowned geriatric specialists, but the hospital is also the source of groundbreaking research programs.
Yale researchers have already achieved national recognition with their studies on preventing falls, reducing delirium, decreasing functional decline and enhancing driving performance in seniors.
Yale-New Haven physicians also act as teachers and mentors to health-care professionals and as advocates for health-care policies that will encourage elders’ independence.
I spoke at length recently with the charming and deceptively boyish-looking Dr. Thomas Gill, who is one of the country’s leading experts on functional decline and disability in older adults.
Gill recently established the Yale Center on Disability and Disabling Disorders. In addition, he directs the Claude D. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center at the Yale School of Medicine. Many readers may remember the fiery Pepper, long-serving Democratic senator from Florida, who became the nation’s foremost spokesman for the elderly.
Gill is acting as the principle investigator at Yale for two exciting nationwide studies that are evaluating how to help older persons maintain their independence and increase their well being. The trial study is recruiting men 65 or older and will determine if replacing testosterone in older men with low levels can reverse some of the unwanted symptoms of aging. The second study, called LIFE, is seeking men and women ages 70-89, and will compare two different lifestyle approaches to maintaining independence: physical activity vs. health promotion and education.
Volunteers should be those individuals who don’t currently exercise and may be having some difficulty with everyday activities such as getting in and out of a car, climbing steps or some walking outside the home.
They must be willing to meet up to twice a week for the duration of the study, (about three years) although a one-month break for travel or family obligations is allowed each year. All volunteers will have a unique opportunity to grow physically and mentally and to form interesting friendships. And isn’t it rewarding to know that as a volunteer, you will not only be helping yourself, but potentially, future generations of seniors, as well.
I had a delightful chat with one enthusiastic participant, Curtis Patton, a fascinating 75-years-young former professor with a full and active retirement life, who said he is greatly enjoying the continuing connection with others in the group that he has gotten to know.
Two other excellent resources at Yale–New Haven Hospital that readers should know about are:
-The Acute Care for the Elderly Unit — a model of interdisciplinary care for older patients featuring a team of physicians, nurses, physical and occupational therapists, a care coordinator, dietitian and social worker who meet and review the goals of care for each patient.
-The Dorothy Adler Geriatric Assessment Center — an outpatient center that uses a team approach to work with patients and their families to develop plans of care to keep patients independent and conducts tests for cognitive decline.
To inquire about volunteer opportunities for the LIFE Study program for men and women, call 203-785-7597, or go to geriatrics.yale.edu/research/life.aspx. For the male-only testosterone study, call 203-737-5672, or go to www.ttrial.org.
Seems as if this might be the best possible of times to be growing older.
Contact Jean Cherni, founder of the retirement advisory service, Senior Living Solutions, at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds at Hotchkiss Grove, Branford 06405.
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