What is the difference between Geriatricians versus a Primary Care Physician?

Many people get confused about the difference between a geriatrician and a primary care physician.  Geriatricians diagnose, treat and manage diseases and conditions that require a special approach when dealing with older adults. They give special attention to situations of special concern, including falls, incontinence, preoperative assessment and post-operative management, cerebrovascular disease, dementia, sensory impairment and other cognitive and affective changes that occur with aging. 

Your primary physician might refer you to a geriatrician when a problem associated with aging requires special attention. In some cases, a family member might recognize a need for a geriatrician and suggest you consult one.  A Geriatrician specialist works as a team with your primary care physician to help take the best care of a geriatric patient. Because of their special training, geriatricians typically provide care for frail older people who have the most complicated medical and social problems.  However if you are not a frail elder, a Geriatrican can help maintain you keeping the best health possible in conjuction with your primary care physician by getting a thorough geriatric assessment each year.