Geriatric Medicine
The Department of Geriatric Medicine at Changi General Hospital looks after the health care needs of the elderly, i.e. patients who are 65 years or older. Due to aging, they are more likely to require attention in many areas of their lives that could affect their wellbeing. In addition to medical problems, nursing, functional, psychological, social, environmental and financial issues often co-exist. Chronological age is not the only measure used to decide whether a patient requires the care of a geriatrician (specialist in medicine of old age). These older persons usually also have one or more of the following problems:
- Problems with walking due to weakness, joint problems or unsteadiness, often leading to falls, or difficulties with the activities of daily living (i.e. dressing, bathing, feeding and grooming).
- Declining memory and mood problems (which could include depression and suspected dementia).
- Incontinence of urine or bowel (and problems such as constipation).
- Nutritional problems, such as difficulties with eating or weight loss.
- Multiple medical conditions requiring multiple medications, giving rise to problems associated with polypharmacy (e.g. too many tablets that may be difficult to take or may result in side effects).
Our Philosophy
Elderly patients tend to have more than one medical, functional and care problem. To consult a different specialist for each medical problem can be very confusing. Geriatricians, therefore, work alongside a dedicated multi-disciplinary team of nurses, therapists, pharmacists and medical social workers to coordinate the care needs of older patients and their families, and advise them on the optimal utilization of the various support services available in the community.
It is our aim to restore the independence of our patients, so that they can continue to do as many things for themselves as possible. We hope to enhance the quality and dignity of their lives.
Our Services
Geriatric Medicine provides the following services:
- Geriatric Centre
The Geriatric Centre is a one-stop service that provides affordable medical, rehabilitative and nursing care to our patients and specialist outpatient appointments with our Geriatric Medicine doctors.
- Geriatric assessment
This is a comprehensive assessment that not only evaluates the medical problems but also the various aspects which contribute to the well being of an older person, such as memory, continence, nutrition, function and psychosocial aspects.
- Geriatric rehabilitation
Rehabilitation of elderly patients can be difficult because they often have many pre-existing and chronic diseases.
Geriatric Day Hospital
The Geriatric Day Hospital, which is housed in the Geriatric Centre, provides intensive rehabilitation programmes for elderly persons, under the supervision of geriatricians. The patient's caregiver (i.e. a family member or maid) can also be trained here in home care for the elderly.
Geriatric Specialist Outpatient Clinics (SOC)
The Geriatric Centre provides specialist outpatient treatment for our patients after discharge from the wards at our Geriatric Specialist Outpatient Clinics (listed below). Patients can also be referred here by General Practitioners (GPs) and polyclinics for specialist assessment and management.
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Continence clinic
The geriatrician will be able to assess the elderly person with urinary or bowel incontinence, and where required, urodynamic assessments (using specialised computerised equipment) can be performed.
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Falls assessment clinic
Provides an assessment of falls for people who have experienced a fall. This assessment is conducted by a geriatrician, physiotherapist and nurse specialist who will advise the patient on how to prevent future falls.
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Memory clinic
This clinic is a collaboration between the Department of Geriatric Medicine and the Department of Psychological Medicine. Its main aim is to assess, investigate and assist in the management of patients over the age of 50 with memory loss and dementia. Together with the patient’s caregivers, this consultation will be done by geriatricians and psychogeriatricians, with the assistance of a specialist nurse. Where necessary, a referral can be made to occupational therapists, medical social workers and psychologists.
Integrated Framework for Elderly Care
This is a Ministry of Health framework where geriatricians work alongside medical and nursing staff in designated nursing homes and community hospitals affiliated to Changi General Hospital, Singapore.
CGH-affiliated nursing homes include the Peacehaven Nursing Home, Lions Home for the Elders and Grace Lodge. St Andrews Community Hospital is a CGH-affiliated community hospital. Geriatricians will visit these institutions on a regular basis to review patients’ medical conditions and to optimise their care.
Patients benefit from the convenience of not having to go to the hospital to receive specialised healthcare, thus doing away with ambulance transfers and waiting times in the hospital. This arrangement also prevents unnecessary hospital admissions.
Read here about our Community Psychogeriatric Programme (CPGP) to improve the mental health of the elderly living in the northeast and southeast of Singapore.
Please click here for the CPGP referral form.
Annual Report
Click here to read our 2016-2017 Annual Report.
