The need for training in geritatrics

Medicare is used by our 65 and older population and yet Medicare does not require doctors to have specific training in geriatric care. Doctors are trained in delivering babies and pediatric care by the time they leave medical school but no focus of training is required for treating the aging population. Symptoms are different for an 80 year old when compared with a 50 year old. Doctors may be over prescribing medicine and keeping patients hospitalized longer. This could lead to more problems and more confusion for the patient and may lead to unnecessary death. Since our aging population is growing it should be a requirement for everyone in the healthcare profession to have skills in assessing their older clients. Specialty in preventative care for the elderly could hopefully lead to healthier, more comfortable lives. Sometimes I think policy makers and others in high positions deny that they are going to age and may need expert advice on their health. We all age but our country forgets to put proper funding to be of better service to our aging population. If we do not begin now we are in for a number of problems due to the aging population growing to such an extent in so little time.