Geriatric medicine is the branch of medicine that specializes in the treatment and well-being of elderly citizens. Geriatric medicine is becoming more and more prominent these days.
The reason is simple: People in developed countries like the US and Canada are living longer and having fewer children. This combination results in an “aging” population. For example, according to the US Census Bureau, the USA will have 47 million people over the age of 65 in 2015, 56 million in 2020, and 73 million in 2030. These represent increases of 38{e577f2e255613ded01a030e42bce2808ed901289218648e026d62c4ad00509a4} and 55{e577f2e255613ded01a030e42bce2808ed901289218648e026d62c4ad00509a4} with respect to 2015.
The higher demand for geriatric medicine will push prices up where the demand exceeds supply. Unfortunately, the income of elderly citizens will not increase in the same proportion. An elderly man’s average income in the US is approximately $25,700 while an elderly woman’s is $15,000. Sadly, many of these people are uninsured or their insurance doesn’t fully cover their needs.
The Benefits of Geriatric Medicine
Geriatric medicine aims at preventing, eliminating or alleviating the main four areas of impairment that frequently arrive with old age and that affect the mental and physical well-being of an individual. These are:
- Immobility: The inability to move independently or at a normal speed.
- Instability: The inability to coordinate or move your body or parts of it.
- Incontinence: The inability to contain your feces or urine.
- Impaired intellect: The loss of mental abilities and memory.
Why Get Treatment in Mexico
Most people think that the main reason elderly people might get medical treatment in Mexico is because it’s more affordable. It’s true that affordability is often a factor, however there are other aspects of healthcare in Mexico that make it an attractive option.
Excellent quality and good service are other major factors. Regardless of how much money you might save, nobody in their right mind will put their health in the hands of an unproven provider. Mexico’s hospitals and clinics have a reputation for high-quality care-as good, if not better than the quality of care you’d get at home.
Distance is also important. Some conditions require a patient to have treatment for long periods of time, even for the rest of one’s life. Unlike other healthcare destinations, like India or Singapore, Mexico is right next to the US, making it easy for patients to return for revisions in treatment and follow-up care. Unsurprisingly, many medical centers are located in border towns like Mexicali, just 2 or 3 hours away from San Diego or Los Angeles.
Being able to communicate in your own language is always reassuring. Border areas between countries that speak two different languages are always the first places where people become bilingual. For example, Mexicali doctors are all bilingual. The doctors not only speak English, but they’re experts in the English medical terminology in their respective specialties.
