As your loved ones grow older, you might hear terms like geriatric care, palliative care, and rehabilitative care. While these services all support ageing individuals, they serve very different purposes and apply at various stages of a senior’s health journey.
Choosing the right care type ensures your elderly family member receives the most suitable support — whether it’s managing chronic conditions, improving quality of life, or recovering from illness or injury.
Let’s break it down simply and clearly.
Geriatric Care: Whole-Person Support for Ageing Adults
Geriatric care is a specialised medical service that focuses on the complex health needs of older adults. It covers everything from managing chronic illnesses to supporting emotional well-being and promoting independence.
Who It’s For:
- Seniors with multiple long-term conditions
- Older adults experiencing cognitive decline
- Individuals needing medication or mobility support
- Elderly who want to stay healthy and active for longer
What’s Included:
- Comprehensive geriatric assessment
- Monitoring of health problems like hypertension, diabetes, arthritis
- Fall risk prevention and mobility plans
- Mental health screening and memory care
- Collaboration with specialists (e.g. geriatricians, therapists, dietitians)
Geriatric care can take place in outpatient clinics, hospitals, or in the community. It often involves a team-based approach, with care tailored to the individual’s needs and lifestyle.
Palliative Care: Prioritising Comfort and Quality of Life
Palliative care is medical care focused on relieving symptoms, reducing stress, and improving quality of life for seniors with serious or progressive illnesses.
Who It’s For:
- Seniors with serious illnesses such as cancer, kidney failure, heart failure, lung diseases, e.g. late stage COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Families needing emotional or spiritual support during illness
What’s Included:
- Pain and symptom management
- Psychological, social, and spiritual support
- Coordination of care with other healthcare providers
- Family counselling and decision-making support
Palliative care is suitable at any stage of illness and is often misunderstood as “giving up”. On the contrary, it helps seniors live better and more comfortably, often for many years with chronic conditions.
Rehabilitative Care: Regaining Strength and Independence
Rehabilitative care helps older adults recover from illness, surgery, or injury by improving physical function, balance, and mobility. It aims to restore independence and prevent further decline.
Who It’s For:
- Seniors recovering from hip fracture, stroke, or joint surgery
- Older adults weakened by hospitalisation or long-term illness
- Individuals with fear of falling or mobility issues
What’s Included:
- Physiotherapy to improve strength and movement
- Occupational therapy to assist with daily tasks
- Speech and language therapy for those with swallowing or speech difficulties
- Psychological support to rebuild confidence
Rehabilitative care is usually short-term and offered in hospitals, specialised rehab centres, or at home.
Which One Does Your Loved One Need?
You don’t need to figure this out alone. Ask these questions to help determine the care type:
- Is my loved one dealing with multiple long-term health issues? –> Geriatric care
- Are they experiencing symptoms that reduce comfort or function? –> Palliative care
- Are they recovering from a stroke, fall, or surgery? –> Rehabilitative care
These services can often complement one another. For example, a senior may receive geriatric care while undergoing rehabilitation or receive palliative support for symptoms of a chronic condition.
Expert Advice from Dr. Goh
Want a deeper understanding of these care types? Listen to Dr. Goh’s expert overview in this exclusive clip.
Important Note
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider to evaluate your loved one’s condition and determine the most appropriate care path based on their unique needs and goals.
