Geriatric medicine focuses on the health, wellbeing and care of older adults.
A geriatrician is a doctor who specialises in preventing, diagnosing and treating health conditions that can become more common with age. This may include managing multiple medical conditions, reduced mobility, memory concerns, or changes to hearing and vision.
Our geriatric services
Our geriatric medicine services specialise in the assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of older people.
We support patients after illness, injury or surgery with evidence-based care tailored to their individual needs. Our caregivers work closely with patients, families and carers to develop a personalised treatment plan.
Our geriatric doctors each have different areas of expertise. Depending on the hospital, we can support older adults who need help with:
- memory problems and dementia
- bladder or bowel control issues
- repeated falls, trouble with balance or difficulties walking
- Parkinson’s disease and other movement conditions
- getting prepared for surgery
- managing multiple health conditions
- assessing decision-making ability
- reviewing and managing medications
- poor nutrition or unintentional weight loss.
We provide geriatric medicine services for outpatients and inpatients in specialised wards and units.
Inpatients
An older adult may be admitted to a geriatric medicine or aged care unit after an illness or injury, or by referral from a general practitioner (GP) in consultation with one of our geriatricians.
Our geriatricians work as part of a team of health care professionals to support recovery, plan ongoing care and maintain independence of the older adult where possible.
A geriatrician may also see older patients who are in hospital for surgery or other conditions. In these cases, they work alongside the treating team to support recovery and provide any required aged care assessments and treatments.
Outpatients
You can access our geriatric medicine services provided by doctors, nurses and allied health caregivers as an outpatient.
These services can be accessed with a referral from your GP or another specialist doctor.
Your GP may also refer you to the Aged Care Assessment Team in your local area through My Aged Care.
Find your geriatricians
Benefits of treatment
Our geriatric medicine services offer:
- health care teams that specialise in treating older adults
- evidence-based treatment for multiple medical conditions and age-related concerns
- holistic, personalised approach to care
- access to allied health caregivers and community services
- guidance and support for family and carers.
In-home support
For extra support, in-home care and nursing services can be arranged with St John of God Healthcare at Home.
Services vary by location and include:
- Personal and post-surgical care in metropolitan Perth (WA), Ballarat, Bendigo, South-East Melbourne and Geelong (VIC).
- Home rehabilitation services in Perth (WA), Berwick and South-East Melbourne (VIC).
Where we provide geriatric medicine in Western Australia
Where we provide geriatric medicine in Victoria
Costs and payment information
St John of God Health Care private hospitals provide benefits that include reduced wait times for surgery, your choice of specialist, and access to high-quality, compassionate care.
We provide a range of ways to pay for your treatment.