About this book:

*Geriatric Medicine Essentials: Complex Care for Older Adults* provides a comprehensive framework for clinicians and caregivers navigating the multifaceted health needs of an aging global population. The text emphasizes that older adults are a heterogeneous group whose care must transcend single-disease models to address the "Geriatric 5Ms": Mind, Mobility, Medications, Multicomplexity, and Matters Most. By utilizing the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), the book details strategies for managing intertwined challenges such as multimorbidity, frailty, and polypharmacy, advocating for "less is more" prescribing and proactive deprescribing to preserve functional independence and quality of life.

The book delves into specific clinical domains, including cognitive health (dementia and delirium), cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and musculoskeletal issues like sarcopenia and osteoporosis. It highlights the "geriatric giants"—syndromes like falls, dizziness, incontinence, and pressure injuries—that often arise from cumulative physiological declines rather than isolated pathologies. A recurring theme is the "atypical presentation" of illness in elders, such as delirium acting as the sole indicator of infection, which necessitates a high index of clinical suspicion and a move away from standard diagnostic cutoffs used for younger populations.

Central to the book's philosophy is the integration of ethical decision-making, serious-illness communication, and palliative care. It provides practical tools for goals-of-care conversations and advance care planning, ensuring that medical interventions align with an individual’s personal values and desired "healthspan." The text also addresses the vital importance of supporting informal caregivers and pursuing health equity by mitigating the social determinants of health that cause disparities in aging outcomes.

Finally, the book examines the operational side of geriatrics, including managing high-risk transitions of care between hospitals, post-acute facilities, and home-based settings. It concludes by looking toward the future of the field, exploring how digital health, quality improvement methodologies, and value-based care models can be synthesized to create "age-friendly" health systems. Ultimately, the work serves as both a clinical manual and an ethical guide, prioritizing the preservation of dignity, autonomy, and function for older adults.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Evidence-based strategies for managing multimorbidity and optimizing medications through deprescribing, balancing treatment benefits against risks for older adults.
• Step-by-step tools for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment including functional, cognitive, and social evaluations to create personalized care plans.
• Practical frameworks and scripts for conducting goals-of-care discussions and advance care planning that align treatments with patient values.
• Proactive approaches to identifying and managing geriatric syndromes like frailty, delirium, falls, and incontinence to prevent functional decline.
• Guidance on seamless transitions of care across hospital, post-acute, and home settings using interdisciplinary teams and care coordination.

Who's It For:

This book is designed for healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses, pharmacists, physical and occupational therapists, and social workers who provide care to older adults. It will also be valuable for trainees in these fields seeking to build foundational geriatric competencies. Family caregivers looking for practical guidance on managing complex care needs will find the strategies accessible and applicable. Anyone involved in supporting the health, function, and quality of life of older adults will benefit from this comprehensive resource.