Growing older doesn’t have to mean slowing down, and Duke Geriatrics proves this every day. As a leading force in senior healthcare, Duke’s specialized team of geriatric experts combines cutting-edge research with compassionate care to help older adults live their best lives.

Duke Geriatrics stands out in the medical community with its comprehensive approach to aging. From memory care to mobility issues, their dedicated specialists work together to address the unique challenges that come with advancing years. The program’s innovative research initiatives and personalized treatment plans have earned it recognition as one of the nation’s top geriatric care centers, making it a beacon of hope for seniors and their families across the Southeast United States.

What Is Duke Geriatrics: An Overview

Duke Geriatrics, part of Duke University Health System, specializes in comprehensive healthcare for adults aged 65 and older. The center combines clinical expertise with research innovation to address the unique medical needs of aging adults.

Duke’s Approach to Senior Care

Duke Geriatrics implements a patient-centered model focused on maintaining independence and quality of life for older adults. The center’s geriatricians evaluate each patient’s physical health mental acuity social connections medication interactions functional abilities. A dedicated team of specialists creates personalized care plans that address age-related conditions like osteoporosis cognitive decline cardiovascular issues balance disorders. Duke’s collaborative approach integrates primary care services with specialized geriatric expertise ensuring seamless coordination between healthcare providers.

Key Programs and Services

Service Type Specialty Focus Patient Age Range
Primary Care Preventive Medicine 65+
Memory Care Cognitive Health 60+
Acute Care Complex Conditions 65+
Home Care Mobility Limited 70+

The Duke Center for the Study of Aging

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The Duke Center for the Study of Aging serves as a multidisciplinary research hub dedicated to understanding aging processes and improving senior health outcomes. Located within Duke University’s medical campus, the center integrates clinical care, research, and education to advance geriatric medicine.

Research Initiatives

Duke’s aging research portfolio spans cellular aging mechanisms to population health studies. Scientists investigate age-related conditions including Alzheimer’s disease, frailty syndromes, and cardiovascular aging through NIH-funded clinical trials. The center’s Pepper Older Americans Independence Center coordinates aging research across Duke, focusing on physical resilience interventions. Research teams utilize advanced biomarkers, imaging technologies, and longitudinal databases to track aging trajectories in diverse populations. Current projects examine exercise impacts on cognitive decline, medication optimization strategies for older adults, and innovative care delivery models.

Educational Programs

Duke’s aging center provides comprehensive training for healthcare professionals specializing in geriatrics. Medical students participate in geriatric clinical rotations, working directly with older patients across care settings. Fellowship programs train physicians in advanced geriatric care practices through hands-on experience in specialty clinics. The center offers continuing education courses for practicing clinicians on topics like falls prevention, dementia care, and polypharmacy management. Graduate students engage in aging research through mentored projects, accessing the center’s extensive data resources. Professional development workshops equip care teams with skills for addressing complex aging-related challenges.

Duke Geriatric Care Facilities

Duke University Health System operates specialized geriatric care facilities designed to meet the diverse needs of older adults. These facilities integrate advanced medical technology with compassionate care delivery systems.

Inpatient Care Units

The Duke Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment (GET) Unit provides 24-hour specialized care for seniors with acute medical conditions. This 32-bed unit features fall-prevention equipment, pressure-relieving mattresses, mobility assistance devices. The unit employs geriatric-trained nurses who monitor patients through advanced telemetry systems. Specialized amenities include:

Outpatient Clinics

Duke’s outpatient geriatric clinics offer comprehensive care services in multiple accessible locations throughout Durham. The main clinic at Duke Medical Plaza contains:

Additional satellite clinics operate in:

Each clinic maintains dedicated parking areas, wheelchair accessibility features. Telehealth services complement in-person visits through secure video platforms.

Comprehensive Care Services

Duke Geriatrics delivers specialized healthcare services tailored to adults aged 65 and older through integrated care programs. The center’s multidisciplinary approach combines medical expertise with personalized treatment plans to address age-related health concerns.

Primary Care for Seniors

Duke’s geriatric primary care services focus on preventive medicine management tailored to older adults’ unique needs. Geriatricians conduct thorough assessments of physical health cognitive function medication interactions functional abilities during each visit. The care team includes nurse practitioners pharmacists social workers who coordinate treatments for chronic conditions like diabetes arthritis hypertension. Patients receive customized wellness plans incorporating nutrition guidance exercise recommendations lifestyle modifications to maintain independence.

Primary Care Services Frequency
Wellness visits Every 6 months
Medication reviews Quarterly
Cognitive screenings Annually
Functional assessments Every visit

Memory Disorders Program

The Memory Disorders Program provides comprehensive evaluation diagnosis treatment of cognitive conditions affecting older adults. Neurologists geriatricians collaborate to assess memory problems using advanced diagnostic tools brain imaging techniques genetic testing. The program offers specialized care for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease vascular dementia Lewy body dementia frontotemporal disorders. Support services include cognitive rehabilitation therapy caregiver education medication management groups.

Memory Care Components Duration
Initial evaluation 2-3 hours
Follow-up visits 45 minutes
Group therapy sessions 90 minutes
Caregiver training 60 minutes

Fall Prevention Services

Duke’s Fall Prevention Clinic implements evidence-based strategies to reduce fall risks enhance mobility in older adults. Physical therapists conduct balance assessments gait analyses home safety evaluations to identify potential hazards. The program includes strength training balance exercises environmental modifications assistive device training. Specialists review medications that might affect balance coordinate with primary care physicians to adjust treatments accordingly.

Fall Prevention Elements Frequency
Balance assessments Every 3 months
Exercise classes Weekly
Home evaluations Annually
Equipment fittings As needed

The Duke Geriatric Workforce Excellence

Duke Geriatrics maintains a distinguished workforce excellence program focused on developing specialized healthcare professionals in geriatric medicine. The program combines clinical expertise with innovative training methodologies to create comprehensive geriatric care solutions.

Expert Medical Team

Duke’s geriatric medical team includes 45 board-certified geriatricians, 28 specialized nurse practitioners, 15 geriatric pharmacists, 12 social workers, and 8 physical therapists. Each team member possesses advanced certifications in geriatric care subspecialties such as memory disorders, falls prevention, and palliative medicine. Team collaboration occurs through daily interdisciplinary rounds, weekly case conferences, and monthly quality improvement meetings. The integrated care model enables coordinated treatment plans that address complex medical conditions like dementia, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.

Specialized Training Programs

Duke offers 6 distinct geriatric training programs including fellowship rotations, nurse practitioner residencies, and interdisciplinary certificates. The 12-month Geriatric Medicine Fellowship trains 8 fellows annually in advanced clinical skills, research methods, and leadership development. The Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Residency accommodates 4 residents per year with focused training in primary care, acute care, and long-term care settings. Additional programs include specialized tracks in palliative care, memory disorders, and geriatric psychiatry. Training incorporates hands-on clinical experience, didactic education, and research opportunities across Duke’s network of geriatric care facilities.

Conclusion

Duke Geriatrics stands as a beacon of excellence in senior healthcare through its comprehensive approach to aging-related challenges. The center’s integration of clinical expertise research innovation and specialized programs creates a robust foundation for high-quality geriatric care.

With state-of-the-art facilities dedicated healthcare professionals and innovative treatment strategies Duke Geriatrics continues to shape the future of senior healthcare. Their commitment to advancing geriatric medicine through research education and patient-centered care ensures older adults receive the support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.

Duke’s ongoing investment in geriatric workforce development and specialized programs demonstrates its dedication to meeting the evolving healthcare needs of an aging population. This makes it a trusted leader in senior care throughout the Southeast United States.

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