Geriatrics
Geriatrics Hospital in Kochi
The Department of Geriatrics at Amrita Hospital was established in 2000 in response to the growing needs of India's elderly population, which is projected to reach 173 million by 2026. Founded by Dr. Dorrie Rosenblatt from the University of Michigan, USA, the department pioneers geriatric medicine in Kerala.
Our society is rapidly undergoing change. Families are becoming nuclear. The vast majority of the young are moving away in search of jobs and careers. These include women who were traditional caregivers to the elderly. We are now facing a situation where the elderly are increasing in numbers and living longer while the number of care givers is rapidly decreasing.
Amrita Hospital hosts a separate Geriatric Department with a team of healthcare personnel trained in Geriatric care – Geriatricians, Gerontological Nurses, Medical Social Workers, Gerontological Physiotherapists, Nutritionists, etc. Where necessary, specialists from various other departments in the hospital also participate in the medical and rehabilitative care of the patients.
This department is one of the first of its kind in the country and the first in Kerala. The Geriatrician addresses the patient’s psychological, social and environmental issues as well as his/her medical problems.
Doctors
Contact Us
Phone: 0484 – 2858550
Email: [email protected]
Diseases Treated
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidemia
- Bronchial Asthma
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Hypothyroidism
- Chronic kidney disease
- Chronic liver disease
- Evaluation of weight loss
- Depression
- Memory Impairment / Dementia
- Falls and Fear of falls
- Urinary tract infection
- Lower/ Upper respiratory tract infections
- Delirium
- Frailty
- Spontaneous bone fractures
- Osteoporosis
- Osteopenia
- Vertigo
- Joint pain/ Muscle pain
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Hyponatremia
- Obesity
- Urinary incontinence
- Constipation
- Polypharmacy
- Post Stroke Rehabilitation
- Post Myocardial Infarction (MI) Rehabilitation
- Post-Surgery Rehabilitation
- Bed Sore Management
- End of life care
Features
We specialize in managing a wide array of age-related ailments, including diabetes, hypertension, dementia, depression, osteoporosis, and urinary incontinence, among others. Our services extend to post-stroke, post-MI, and post-surgery rehabilitation, as well as end-of-life care, ensuring comprehensive support for our elderly patients.
Out Patient Services
- Pioneers in Geriatric Care: Kerala's first and among India's earliest Geriatrics centres.
- Comprehensive outpatient care to address the unique needs of older adults.
- A specialized team of experienced Geriatricians, Gerontological Nurses, Medical social workers, Gerontological Physiotherapists, and nutritionists.
- Support from additional specialists when required.
- Extends care beyond medical treatment by addressing the psychological, social, and environmental factors that impact the well-being of our elderly patients.
- A holistic geriatric care approach that integrates medical treatment with psychological, social, and environmental support.
Why choose us
- Specialized expertise in geriatric care
- Patient-centred care by integrating medical expertise, modern equipment, and specialized professionals.
- Focus on promoting healthy ageing and preventing functional decline.
- Committed to enhancing the well-being and independence of elderly citizens
- Setting new benchmarks in geriatric care in Kerala and beyond.
What we offer
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment and chronic disease management.
- Enhancing the quality of life of older adults through preventive interventions, lifestyle modifications and regular follow-ups
- Personalized care for older adults' physical and mental well-being through tailored diet, activities, social interaction, and supplementation.
Service
Assessment of the older Patient
- Comprehensive Interdisciplinary assessment of the patient and his/her support systems.
- Geriatricians, trained nurses, medical social worker, physiotherapist and dietitian interact with patient and family members.
- Investigations appropriate for the elderly and tailored to the particular patient.
Preventive Intervention
- Life style modification – Mental and Physical Activity, diet and fluid management, exercises, social interaction.
- Assessment of metabolic and other parameters and correction to prevent future complications.
- Supplements as appropriate to prevent certain geriatric diseases.
- Screening for certain common geriatric syndromes and cancers
- Vaccinations appropriate for the elderly.
- Regular follow up to reduce functional decline in the patient.
Treatment Interventions
- Diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of present illness.
- Identification of various associated problems and suitable interventions to correct the problems and to improve quality of life and functional capacity wherever possible.
- Diagnosis and regular follow up of chronic conditions.
- Optimization of treatment and medications to benefit the patient as a whole and minimize the possibility of adverse effects.
Medical Decision Making
- Discussions regarding appropriateness of surgical and invasive procedures giving due consideration to the patient’s present condition and life expectancy.
- Planning in advance for medical interventions at end of life – particularly with regard to Intensive care and use of ventilators, so that patient’s wishes for the same are honoured.
- Decisions regarding switching from aggressive curative care to comfort care in terminally ill patients.
Comprehensive Geriatric Health Check-up Program (Geriatric Package)
This program includes screening test for the functions of all major organs of the body.
- Prostate cancer screening for males.
- Breast and cervical cancer screening for females.
- Vaccination against tetanus and pneumococcal pneumonia.
Our Philosophy
Our vision is to improve healthcare and quality of life for the elderly through education, research, and patient-centered care. We are committed to training empathetic healthcare providers and advancing geriatric knowledge through collaborative research and education, aiming to make a lasting impact on the well-being of older adults in our community.
Academy
- MD GERIATRICS
- CORE MEDICAL TRAINING -IMT UK
Facilities
- Comprehensive interdisciplinary assessment of the elderly
- Optimized medical treatment according to the age, medical status and patient input following counseling
- Life style advice including diet and exercise programs
- Comprehensive preventive care
- Counseling to family members and caregivers on care of the elderly
- Subspecialty referral where required
- Comprehensive interdisciplinary inpatient care where required
- Consult services for the elderly patients of other departments
- Help with medical decision making and end of life care
Specialty Clinics
- Dementia clinic –All Tuesdays
- Falls and Osteoporosis clinic – All Thursdays
- Comprehensive health check-up for senior citizen (Age above 60) – Monday to saturday
FAQS
You will undergo a comprehensive assessment by our team of specialists to understand your overall health and any specific concerns you may have.
Your care team will include geriatricians, nurses, social workers, physiotherapists, and dietitians who will work together to address your needs.
We will perform tests and investigations tailored to your age and health status to identify any underlying conditions and develop an appropriate treatment plan.
No, all the appropriate regular medical care will be continued and optimized by the Geriatrician and consultations with other specialists will be arranged as needed.
We recommend certain vaccines and screenings based on your age and health history to prevent common illnesses and detect any problems early.
We offer a range of treatments for various health issues, including medication, rehabilitation, and therapy, to help manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
The frequency of follow-up visits will depend on your individual needs and treatment plan, but we typically recommend regular check-ups to monitor your progress and adjust your care as needed.
Geriatric care differs in the following aspects:
- Disease manifestation and diagnosis often is different from younger adults.
- Certain medications used in the younger adults are inappropriate for the elderly.
- Dosage of medications is often different in the elderly.
- Elderly have multiple medical problems- physical, psychological and socio-environmental and treatment has to be optimized and individualized according to each patient’s needs.
- There are many disease complexes peculiar to the elderly known as “Geriatric Syndromes”. The Geriatrician is trained to identify and manage these.
- Apart from treating the medical conditions, the geriatrician aided by his team, focuses on functional rehabilitation to maximize quality of life.
No. Geriatric care includes the best use of various medical and surgical subspecialties whenever required. The Geriatrician also helps the patient and relatives to make decisions regarding various medical and surgical interventions.
No. The Geriatrician, along with palliative care specialist and the Physician in charge of the patient will seek to provide maximum relief from pain and discomfort in a dying patient and helps the relatives to cope with the loss.
Diagnostic Tests and Procedures
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
- Screening for common geriatric syndromes and cancers
- Vaccinations appropriate for the elderly
- Regular follow-up to reduce functional decline in patients
Outreach Program
- Instigation of Geriatric clinic in Njarakkal PHC and Kaloor UHC clinic
- Geriatric Clubs in Njarakkal PHC and Kaloor UHC
- Geriatric consultancy and care in old age home in Njarakkal
- Awareness programme for Geriatrics in various platforms
- Workshops on problems in elderly
Treatments
- Lifestyle modifications: Mental and Physical Activity, diet and fluid management, exercises, social interaction
- Optimal management of chronic diseases
- Supplements as appropriate to prevent certain geriatric conditions
- Preventive interventions tailored to individual needs
- Rehabilitation programs for post-stroke, post-MI, and post-surgery patients
- Management of geriatric-specific issues such as falls, fractures, urinary incontinence, and constipation
- End-of-life care and palliative support
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