Senior Health Program

Geriatric Evaluation Clinic

This Geriatric Evaluation Clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals including a board certified geriatric physician, a specially trained nurse and social worker. The team makes a thorough assessment of the patient’s needs and develops recommendations for care, while supporting the existing relationship between the patient and his or her personal physician. The goal of the evaluation is to help the patient and family better understand health problems and care options and to help the patient live as independently as possible. Our services are provided on an outpatient basis and family members or representatives are encouraged to participate. Services are individualized to patient needs and include:

• Thorough review of past medical records
• Complete physical examination
• Medication review
• Assessment of self-care abilities and living needs
• Screening of hearing, vision, memory and mood
• Discussion of recommendations for treatment, support services, and ongoing care
• Selective scheduling of tests, consultations and referrals
• Written summary provided for the primary care physician

The professional staff is available to assist with the coordination of further medical care, in-home servicesor relocation. Additional family conferences may also be arranged to discuss patient and family concerns.

Professional Geriatric Care Management

The goal of geriatric care management is to assure personalized care appropriate to the needs and wishes of older adults. Geriatric care management is generally not covered by insurance and is paid privately by the older adult or family members. Care managers thoroughly assess older adults in their current living environments and then develop a comprehensive plan of options to meet the needs of older adults, their families or representative. Care management is provided by caring professionals with advanced degrees in nursing and social work who have worked with various healthcare systems and community services that assist older adults. Care managers consult with a variety of other health professionals including Medical College of Wisconsin geriatricians.

Geriatric care management provides evaluation and ongoing management. Our services include the following:

• Comprehensive in-home assessment
• Consultations with health care professionals 
• Written, personalized plan of care
• Obtaining  and supervising in-home services
• Guidance with decisions and supportive counseling
• Relocation information and assistance
• Ongoing communication with family members
• Coordination of health care
• Telephone reassurance 24-hour emergency assistance
• Referrals to appropriate community providers

Geriatrics Memory Disorder Clinic

Many older adults or those close to them worry about signs of memory loss. Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Division of Geriatrics provide a Geriatrics Memory Disorders Clinic where older adults receive a comprehensive assessment by a board-certified geriatrician and an advanced practice nurse. Older adults with memory concerns undergo a thorough evaluation to determine possible causes of memory loss or diminished cognitive functioning. The program utilizes the best practices and state of the art technologies for diagnosis and management of memory disorders. This clinic offers access to cutting-edge treatment and ongoing follow-up care to monitor progress over time. Consultation with a social worker specializing in care for older adults is also provided to assist patients and their families in developing future plans. This includes information about community resources to help maintain independence, advice about safety issues and caregiver support.

Care in the Geriatrics Memory Disorders Clinic is individualized to meet the needs of the patient and family. Some of the services include:

• Review of past medical records
• Medication review
• Cognitive and depression screening
• Evaluation of self-care abilities
• Thorough physical exam
• Diagnostic testing to clarify diagnosis
• Medication management to delay progression of symptoms
• Advice for future planning
• Ongoing care in collaboration with the patient’s personal physician
• Information about clinical trials investigating newer treatments
• Referrals to specialists and community services

Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic 

For some older adults, the aging process is accompanied by mental and emotional health problems such as depression, anxiety, grief, memory problems and even changes in behavior. Fortunately, treatment for such problems is available at the Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic. A geriatric psychiatrist and an advanced practice nurse assist patients and their families by providing comprehensive psychiatric care.  

The Geriatric Psychiatry Clinic provides:

• Comprehensive evaluation
• Expert medication management
• Ongoing treatment
• Referrals to other health care services including counseling and home healthcare

Geriatric Incontinence Clinic

This clinic provides assessment and treatment of urinary incontinence, which affects an estimated one-third of adults over 65 years of age. Sometimes urinary incontinence is caused by a temporary illness and resolves when the illness is cured or controlled. Medical conditions such as diabetes, prostate enlargement and stroke can cause urine leakage, as well as certain medications. Weakened pelvic muscles supporting the lower urinary tract or an overactive bladder are other common causes of long term urinary incontinence, particularly among women. People seeking help at the Geriatric Incontinence Clinic learn that they have an excellent chance of improvement or being cured altogether.

The clinic is staffed by a board-certified geriatrician and a clinical nurse specialist in gerontology. Conservative treatment approaches are emphasized and may include:

• Dietary counseling
• Increased fluid intake
• Biofeedback and Kegel exercise instruction
• Bladder retraining
• Medication Referral to a urologist and/or urogynecologist  

Last Review Date: February 3, 2005

Online Editor(s): Frank Lococo