Geriatrics is a medical science that helps in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of illnesses to older people. There are special doctors who are experts at taking care of medical problems of older people. These doctors are known as geriatricians. As age progresses the number of diseases a person gets prone to also increases. The nature of these diseases is different from what a person twenty years younger than him might experience. Therefore, old people require different medications, treatments and overall care. Geriatricians are trained to handle such patients. 

Mostly these geriatrics providers are general physicians who have undergone the normal medical education and training later. They handle these old patients alone or along with a team of nurses and other doctors who might be specialists in certain fields. The process that the team follows is almost similar throughout the world. They first have a look at the medical background of the patient especially the illnesses that he has suffered in the past which have their effects even at present. Apart from these they check the patient for common old age symptoms like loss of memory, imbalance while walking, etc. Also his present condition is checked completely; whether he can perform daily activities, whether there is anyone to look after him and if he has any kind of social support. All these points are taken into consideration before starting the treatment. Overall a holistic approach is taken while treating old – age patients.

Geriatrics is a science that caters only to elder people. It is necessary for people of ages sixty and above to take advantage of this facility. Whether or not they are suffering from any disease or illness, it is necessary to have a regular check up with the geriatrician.  The entire team of geriatrics professionals, are trained to take assess and take proper steps to maintain the health of the elders.