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Doctors Of Chiropractors For Elder Health

Multidisciplinary teams have become a hallmark of many elder health programs, reflecting the growing consensus that no single discipline has all of the resources or expertise needed to appropriately care for the elderly and their health needs.
In 1994, the US government funded a study of the role of doctors of chiropractic in interdisciplinary healthcare, particularly in rural, underserved areas. Before this time, little was known of the chiropractor’s role in interdisciplinary healthcare, and even less was published on this topic. Since that time, the chiropractic presence on interdisciplinary teams appears to be increasing. Through US Health Resources and Services Administration funding, several projects have been undertaken to increase awareness among doctors of chiropractic regarding interdisciplinary issues and incorporate interdisciplinary elements into chiropractic educational models.

Chiropractic care is an active care model that is multi-factorial, in that it may incorporate prevention, exercise, health and wellness promotion along with the alleviation of pain (condition-based care). But, chiropractic is not the entire picture in geriatric health care. For some time now, the health care needs of the elderly have been looked after, in parallel, by a variety of practitioners. Older patients instinctively seek the care of multiple health care providers. They may see a medical doctor for periodic check-ups and for medications, a pharmacist to dispense their medications, a dentist for their teeth, a podiatrist for their feet, a chiropractor for their back, and a nurse for general assistance at home.

Much of the development of frailty can be delayed with an integrated approach to health care, with a focus on prevention. Exercises and healthful activities of daily living, as recommended by doctors of chiropractic and other health professionals, have been shown to improve functional status, decrease depression, prevent heart disease, decrease arthritic pain and improve function in persons with osteoarthritis. Maintenance of good nutrition in older persons is also a key element of a healthy lifespan and is typically recommended by doctors of chiropractic.

The use of certain nutritional supplements may decrease coronary artery disease and numerous other health concerns. Chiropractic treatments, as we have observed in practice, can provide dramatic positive results as well in our older patients. All members of geriatric health care teams have an important role to play. However, if providers all independently contribute a piece to geriatric healthcare, without communicating across disciplinary lines, a great opportunity for the enhancement and efficiency of that care is lost.

Older patients are often our most complex patients, possessing multiple musculoskeletal and systemic complaints, and they frequently rely on numerous medications. Given such complexity, providers should, ideally, be open to collaboration for the overall good of the patient. As our society ages, increased use of complementary and alternative healthcare services (including chiropractic), and an increase in the inclusion of doctors of chiropractic on interdisciplinary geriatric healthcare teams is almost certain.

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