Texas expects to see a nearly threefold increase in people aged 65 and older by 2050, according to the Texas Demographic Center, making it crucial for physicians to learn the unique care needs of this population.
TMA’s newest podcast series, “TMA Health Beat,” recently hosted Dallas geriatrician Deborah Freeland, MD, and Austin family physician Guadalupe Zamora, MD, to explain the specialized health care needs of their older patients and what the medical community can do to help them.
Prompted by the association’s Council on Health Promotion, “TMA Health Beat” is a monthly podcast highlighting the association’s community outreach programs, physician leaders, and important health care issues.
Being older doesn’t mean being in poor health, Dr. Freeland emphasized to “TMA Health Beat.”
“Sometimes people will say, ‘Of course, I’m falling. I’m 82.’ But it really turns out a lot of these conditions that happen as we get older are not necessarily normal aging,” she said.
With falls, for instance, other health issues can contribute, such as osteoarthritis or an underlying neurological condition, making it important to take in the whole picture to pin down the source of any health problem, Dr. Freeland added.
Another obstacle older patients face is navigating their insurance, Dr. Zamora says.
“Most of them don’t understand how to use their insurance correctly and therefore they’re lost,” he said.
Dr. Zamora often has his staff help patients with their insurance questions as part of a larger effort to give seniors the support they need beyond health care.
Learn more about other pressing health issues in Texas with “TMA Health Beat:”