How Is Geriatric Care Different from Other Care?
Apr 11, 2025
Understanding your health care needs becomes increasingly important as you age. Tomas Rios, MD, Nicolin Neal, MD, and our team at Rios Healthcare Associates in Houston, Texas, specialize in geriatric care, ensuring that older adults receive medical attention tailored to their needs.
But how does geriatric care differ from primary care? Here, we explain the unique aspects of geriatric care and help you determine whether it’s time to seek a geriatric specialist.
Geriatric care focuses on the health and wellness of older adults, typically those 65 and over, though it can apply to anyone experiencing age-related health changes.
Unlike general health care, which takes a broad approach across age groups, geriatric care focuses on the complex medical issues and life changes that occur with aging.
This specialty prioritizes patients’ values and preferences. It aims to improve quality of life, maintain independence, and address the specific challenges older adults face — whether managing multiple chronic illnesses, reducing injury risks, or optimizing medications.
Older adults have unique health care needs often overlooked in general care settings. Geriatric care addresses the following core areas of concern.
Where general care providers often focus on one condition at a time, geriatricians are skilled at managing multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously, like arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. They understand how conditions interact and how treatments for one may impact another.
At Rios Healthcare Associates, instead of simply adding more medications, we take a holistic view to give you well-rounded medical advice and treatment.
Taking multiple medications can increase your risk of interactions and side effects. Our geriatricians specialize in simplifying medication regimens, ensuring you only take what’s necessary and safe.
We also evaluate whether medications may contribute to issues like drowsiness, confusion, or balance problems.
Older adults are more prone to falls, which can lead to serious injuries and long-term complications. Geriatric care often includes fall-prevention strategies through balance assessments, physical therapy recommendations, and a focus on overall mobility.
Conditions like depression, anxiety, and dementia are prevalent in older adults, yet they’re often underdiagnosed in general care settings.
We provide thorough screening and management of mental health conditions and cognitive changes, working to improve your emotional well-being and maintain brain health for as long as possible.
Our geriatricians collaborate with other specialists such as cardiologists, neurologists, and physical therapists. We help you and your family make informed decisions and ensure your treatments align with your health goals.
You don’t need to reach a specific age to see a geriatrician. Some adults transition to geriatric care in their mid-60s, while others may not need it until their late 70s or 80s. Signs you may benefit from geriatric care include:
If you or a loved one has several chronic diseases requiring ongoing treatment, a geriatrician can help streamline care.
Experiencing side effects or difficulty keeping track of medications is a key indicator that expert medication management is needed.
If routine tasks or mobility has become challenging, we can address strength, balance, and overall physical health.
If you have memory problems or difficulty managing day-to-day activities due to dementia or other cognitive issues, call us.
Caregiver stress is a major reason families turn to geriatric care for coordinated, compassionate solutions.
At Rios Healthcare Associates, the transition to geriatric care is seamless. If you're already a patient, Dr. Rios or Dr. Neal may begin integrating geriatric care into your regular visits as your health needs evolve.
New patients are also welcome. It’s a simple process to transfer medical records and start receiving specialized care.
The team at Rios Healthcare Associates offers a comprehensive range of geriatric services tailored to the individual needs of older adults, including:
Geriatric care helps you stay independent for as long as possible. To learn more, call Rios Healthcare Associates at 832-323-9230 or request your appointment online today.