Senior Care Specialist
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Michele L Martinez, MD
Family Medicine & Geriatric Care located in Riverside, CA
As you age, taking care of your health becomes more important than ever. Dr. Michele Martinez has more than 25 years of experience providing expert medical care to senior men and women who want to stay healthy and vital. At People’s Care Health Systems, the friendly staff and expert doctor listen to your concerns and take the time to get to know you. If you live in Riverside, California, and are looking for a physician who understands your needs, just phone the office or use the online booking form to make an appointment.
Senior Care Q & A
What is senior medicine?
Senior medicine, sometimes referred to as geriatrics, is a branch of medicine that recognizes the unique needs of aging men and women. Dr. Martinez takes the time to listen to you or your loved one, determine what concerns you, and administers necessary tests or treatments.
Her thorough and comprehensive geriatric health assessments take anywhere from two to five hours over the course of two or three visits. As part of her assessment, Dr. Martinez collects comprehensive information, including:
- Demographic data
- Social history
- Legal and financial history
- Medication profile
- Analysis of daily living
- Fall risk analysis
- Nutrition intake
- Pain level assessment
- Mental health assessments
Using all of this information, Dr. Martinez creates a personalized health management plan for you.
What kinds of conditions are common in seniors?
As an older adult, you’re more susceptible to both acute and chronic diseases. You’re also more likely to have a combination of health conditions or issues, such as:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Arthritis
- Heart disease
- Osteoporosis
- Cancer
- Alzheimer’s
- Depression
You may also have other impairments that are minor, but nonetheless frustrating. Some examples include difficulties with hearing, challenges with memory, or trouble getting around due to arthritis pain and stiffness. Dr. Martinez monitors these conditions, too, and administers or prescribes treatments, when necessary.
She also can help with lifestyle issues, including weight loss or weight gain. She helps you meet your nutritional requirements and find ways to stay active to keep your body healthy and strong.
Why should a primary care physician be part of my senior medicine team?
As your primary care physician, Dr. Martinez is responsible for overseeing all aspects of your physical and mental health. She is also concerned with your health over the long term, rather than just addressing a single, short-term need. During your regular exams, she administers tests that can detect issues before they become severe, so they can be treated and managed.
At every visit, she checks your pulse, blood pressure, and weight. As part of diagnosing health problems, she may also check your blood-oxygen saturation or do a urinalysis or blood tests to check your cholesterol, glucose, or other parameters. If you need bone density testing, an electrocardiogram, or any other of a variety of specialized tests, she will take make sure you get them.
Whether you need senior care for yourself, a parent, or another loved one, the warm and supportive team members at People’s Care Health Systems are ready to help. Book an appointment online today, or phone the office.
