Geriatric Medicine

Our Approach

Franciscan Health is committed to bringing the best healthcare available anywhere to seniors in our community. We offer primary care providers and specialists focused on your needs, as well as a unit dedicated to geriatric care.

Geriatric medicine

The focus of geriatric medicine is on caring for people age 65 and older. Geriatric medicine is a specialty for providers who focus on the medical, social and psychological issues that concern older adults.

Our providers help people manage common medical conditions and are trained in treating specialized problems such as stroke band memory loss. In addition, they understand how physical health problems affect other aspects of seniors' lives - their mobility, social interaction and ability to live independently.

We support the health and well-being of people with pulmonary (lung) problems, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders and other medical conditions.

Our senior services

Franciscan Health offers a variety of programs and services geared specifically to individuals age 50 and older. We want to help you stay active in your community and stay well to enjoy the promise of a healthier future. Some of our local programs for seniors include:

• Snificists Program in Northwest Indiana - Our snificists are skilled nursing facility providers who visit long term care facilities on a regular basis and focus on keeping residents healthier.
• CareLinks Transportation Service in South Suburban Chicago - is a free resource that provides information about transportation options available in the communities we serve.
• Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Central and Northwest Indiana - PACE is a community-based healthcare program created for people 55 or older who are eligible for nursing-home level care but prefer to receive their care in their own familiar surroundings.

Ask your provider for local senior programs available in your area.

Our dedicated team

Our team of specialists is trained to work with older adults. We are uniquely sensitive to seniors' needs and abilities. With this expertise, we can distinguish between normal changes caused by aging and changes caused by disease. Our team includes:

• Doctors who focus on older adults
• Nurse Practitioners (NPs) and Physician Assistants (PAs)
• Nurses
• Social workers
• Physical therapists
• Nutritionists