What Does a Geriatrician Do?

When it comes to aging, “what matters most” is first among the “Five M’s.”

Plans for mobility, mind, medication, and mood all center around supporting a patient’s own motivation, be that keeping up with grandchildren, remaining independent at home, or taking a hot air balloon across the Serengeti.

“We’re treating an individual, and that individual has hopes and dreams. When we can align our recommendations, the situation, and what they want, it’s life-changing and it’s fun,” said Kyra Carpenter, DO. “We’re focusing on what’s important to them.”

A quarter of Montana’s people will be 65+ by 2030, which will make Montana among the six states with the oldest population.

Montana is desperately short of geriatricians like Dr. Carpenter despite our rapidly aging population. She will lead an interdisciplinary team at the Goodnow Healthy Aging Center that will include pharmacy, nutrition, and physical and occupational therapies, and will work closely with neurology and other complementary specialties. A patient navigator will help connect everything together for patients.

Dr. Carpenter specializes in complex care, generally for people 60 and older. With seniors, she appreciates the opportunity to get to know them and walk with them on their journey.

As she looks ahead to the Healthy Aging Center, she emphasizes how it will be different than a typical clinic. An interdisciplinary team will work on a comprehensive geriatric assessment and plan together a route forward supporting patients’ goals.

A patient with memory lapses, for example, could have a medication review to look at potential reversible causes. The goal for every patient is a very personal and actionable plan.

“When we’re thinking about the healthy aging space, you’ll have people who are younger and healthier who want to start now with an individualized plan on how they can age well,” Dr. Carpenter said. “Your pathway will look unlike anyone else’s pathway.”