HealthNews Growing Old: still Growing Geriatrician Sarah Gelberd, M.D., right, guides patients and their families through the Sinai Senior Assessment and Clinic (SSAC). A n elderly woman begins to show signs of weak- ness and a slow- ing of mental function. She and her fam- ily assume these are just part of aging and they ig- nore the progressive prob- lems. Hold on a minute! ad- vises Harold Rodner, M.D., Section Chief of In- ternal Medicine at Sinai with a special interest in geriatrics. A thorough exam and history may re- veal a low-active thyroid — an eminently treatable disorder. Instead of per- manent loss of many key functions, the woman can preserve a high quality of life. It is this special atten- tion to the unique needs of the elderly that distin- guishes Sinai's Internal Medicine Department. In any hospital, some 60 per- cent of the patients are older adults. At Sinai, a dozen doctors have passed specialized exams for treatment of this group. And, as a group, the el- derly are different. Their losses and grieving, and even their boredom, can contribute to clinical de- pression, which in turn can affect their mental function, physical well-be- ing and social interactions. Their multitude of med- ications can cause more problems than they solve. And their caregivers — of- ten a spouse or offspring — may need relief and in- formation. Sinai addresses these and many more special needs through a formal testing and evaluation program called Sinai Se- nior Assessment and Clin- ic (SSAC). Headed by one of the first formally trained geriatricians in the United States, Med- ical Director Sarah S. Gel- berd, M.D., the SSAC approaches the unique medical and social needs of older adults with digni- ty and compassion. "One of my goals is ag- ing in place," says Dr. Gel- berd. "No one grows up wanting to be in a nursing home." In order for the ag- ing individual to remain at home, she and the SSAC help the family learn about and access the variety of resources in the metropolitan community. A house call may be made by an occupational thera- pist to determine the safe- ty of the environment. An instruction in exercise, so- cial activity, sleep, nutri- tion and sexuality are all built into the quality of life education. • CI ' L A DVERTI SE ME Where Is Sinai? For mor information support groups clinics and programs,call Sinai Hospital at 1-800-248-3627 ‘nrgiMMTRMST;Mr7rM:MIMM.Mnrmi75,.(' inai Hospital is centrally Lilocated in metropolitan Detroit on West Outer Drive just north of West McNichols/ Six Mile Road and two blocks east of Greenfield.. The main entrance is on West Outer Drive, and valet parking is available. "We sometimes have to teach the caregivers to do less," Dr. Gelberd says. "Their parents get ab- solutely bored and feel useless. Encouraging the caregiver to assign chores, such as setting the table or folding laundry, pro- motes usefulness for the parent and reduces burn- out for the caregiver." "If there is a patient with problems, there is a caregiver with problems," observes Dr. Rodner. "You have to deal with the whole person and his or her whole life." This means determining such everyday details as who is shopping for the patient, paying the bills and cook- ing. At SSAC on the Detroit campus or at Sinai's Hechtman Health Center in Bingham Farms, a meticulous history-taking is supplemented by so- phisticated physical, so- cial and psychological exams. When the patient — the whole patient — is truly known to the team, assisted by geriatric nurse, Barbara Hollie, R.N., recommendations are made to the patient, the family and the prima- ry care physician. "The key word is func- tion," Dr. Rodner stresses. "The role of the geriatri- cian is to assess, prevent loss of and try to recover function." WEST BLOOMFIELD : W a 'common dis eases suffered by post-menopausal women is osteo- porosis, or thin- ning of the bones. It often results "dowager's hump" and the potentially fatal breaking of a hi New research shows that women who no- tice a height los of two inches or more should co skier themselve at risk for hip fractures, and ar advised to info their physici Sinai's team o medical cialists knowledgeab compassiona _ • \ Maple Road BIRMINGHAM ROYAL OAK OAK PARK FARMINGTON FERNDALE Eight Mile HIGHLAND PARK LIVONIA 0 DETROIT DEARBORN ! n ne of the most