Answers from Dr. Susan Levy

Susan Levy, M.D., is the Vice President of Medical Affairs and Medical Director at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Dr. Levy graduated from the University of Maryland School of Medicine and did a residency at the Medical University of South Carolina. She completed a geriatric fellowship at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Dr. Levy is board certified and her expertise is in Internal Medicine and Geriatric Medicine. Dr. Levy serves as President of Maryland Medical Directors Association (MMDA) and is an American Medical Directors Association (AMDA) Certified Medical Director (CMD).

Answers
Caring for the elderly is really an interdisciplinary process.In addition to primary care physicians, other team members that can help elderly parents and their relatives are social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech/language therapists, psychiatrists, psychologists, cardiologists, urologists and neurologists. Click to read Dr. Levy's full answer.
The most widespread condition affecting those 65 and older is coronary heart disease, followed by stroke, cancer, pneumonia and the flu. Accidents, especially falls that result in hip fractures, are also unfortunately common in the elderly.
A geriatrician is a medical doctor with additional training and experience in assessing and treating problems in older people.