Geriatric Care

Even if you’re generally healthy, stay active, and have a great social life, you still face natural changes as you age. The best way to prevent and manage age-related challenges is with geriatric care provided by Monica Hoog-Gage, ARNP, CNP, at Muskogee Family Practice in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She identifies potential risks to your well-being and ongoing vitality and creates a holistic plan to support your physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being. To determine if it’s time to consider geriatric care, call the office to schedule an appointment. 

What is geriatric care?

Geriatric care specializes in the medical, psychological, and social needs of older adults. At Muskogee Family Practice, Monica offers holistic geriatric care that supports healthy aging and helps adults maintain a thriving, active life.

When do I need to seek geriatric services?

There isn’t a specific age for seeking geriatric care. While many believe 65 is the age to switch to a geriatric specialist, some require specialized services as early as 55, and others may not need them until 75 or even later.

Deciding when to schedule geriatric care depends on your health needs rather than your age. It may be time to see Monica for geriatric care if:

• You’re developing frailty
• You (or family members) have noticed a decline in memory and thinking
• You have multiple complex medical conditions
• You need several treatments or medications that may interact and cause side effects

Frailty is an age-related medical condition defined by symptoms such as muscle weakness, weight loss, slow movement, and poor balance.

What issues are addressed in geriatric care?

Although Monica specializes in whole-person care at every age, holistic care is the cornerstone of care for older adults.

Her comprehensive geriatric care embraces the full spectrum of age-related challenges, including:

• Sick visits
• Annual physicals
• Chronic disease management
• Chronic pain
• Vision and hearing
• Home safety
• Mobility (balance, ability to walk, and risk for falls)
• Memory loss (dementia and Alzheimer’s disease)
• Age-related muscle loss (sarcopenia)
• Mental health services (e.g., depression, loneliness, anxiety, and stress)
• Ability to live independently (cooking, cleaning, self-care, etc.)
• Medication management (vital if you take multiple medicines prescribed by different healthcare providers)

Monica identifies your medical, emotional, social, and home needs, and then creates a plan to maintain optimal health, ensure your safety, and support an optimal quality of life.

Are health screenings part of geriatric care?

Health screenings are a crucial part of geriatric care. Screenings detect signs of disease long before symptoms appear. As a result, Monica can take proactive steps to treat chronic diseases, slowing their progression and helping you stay healthy longer.

The health screenings you need and how often you need them depend on your age, risk factors, and overall health. Screenings that are vital to protect your health include:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Type 2 diabetes
• Bone density
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Lung cancer
• Colon cancer
• Breast cancer
• Prostate cancer
• Skin cancer

Call Muskogee Family Practice to scheudle an annpointment to learn more about geriatric care.