We see geriatric medicine as a unique approach to primary health care focused on the needs of older adults. At Parkway our primary focus is to maximize our patient’s function.

Second, we seek to balance quality of life issues with the risks of any possible tests or treatments. Many tests can be quite uncomfortable and pose their own risks.

Third, we try to keep people in their home environments as much as possible. This means avoiding unnecessary hospitalizations, as hospitals can actually be a dangerous place for older individuals.

Our duty is to recognize the special needs of older adults. We listen to all of our senior patient’s concerns, because even a subtle one can indicate a greater problem. This means that patient visits should never be rushed and we will take all the time needed. The older population, more than any other group of patients, needs to know that we, their doctors, are there for them at all times. From physicians, medical assistants, technicians and nurse practitioners . . . the entire team at Parkway Family Physicians appreciates and acts on the specialized needs of our mature patients to provide them with the very finest health care, in a compassionate and supporting environment.

Much of what we Americans typically consider “normal aging” is really not normal at all. There are very few complaints from older adults that actually warrant a response of “it’s just because you’re aging” from a physician. You’ll never hear that at Parkway, in fact, even when a problem is a part of the normal aging process, we believe it should be discussed in a constructive fashion with the intention of seeking alternatives to maximize function and quality of life.