Geriatric medicine

Penn Medicine understands the special health needs of seniors. Our geriatric medicine team delivers the individualized attention and convenience you deserve, along with compassionate care and accessible services.

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A compassionate nurse in a blue uniform helps an elderly man with a drink, creating a warm and caring atmosphere in a home setting. The scene highlights caregiving and support.

At the forefront of geriatric care

Our geriatric specialists offer care tailored to the needs of older adults. We support senior health across many age-related conditions, from chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes to memory care, medication management, sensory changes, and mobility needs. Board-certified physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and social workers coordinate treatments across home, hospital, nursing home, and clinic settings to help you stay healthy, independent, and engaged in life.

Convenient services to support healthy aging

The full spectrum of senior care

As adults age, they benefit from geriatric care options tailored to their level of independence and overall well-being. This includes everything from primary care to comprehensive medical services for those with more complex conditions. Geriatric specialists support healthy aging every step of the way from chronic care for common conditions to at-home services that support daily living and nursing home care that offers round-the-clock assistance.

Geriatric conditions treated

In-hospital ACE units to promote recovery

Being hospitalized can put older adults at risk of losing their independence due to long-term complications, such as falls, pressure ulcers, or delirium. Acute Care for Elders (ACE) units are in-hospital settings that offer a transitional environment to help older adults maintain or recover the functional abilities lost during or after a hospital stay. These units help people return to their daily lives whenever possible, giving them the best chance of positive long-term outcomes.

Our ACE units at Pennsylvania Hospital and Penn Presbyterian Medical Center offer a home-like, mobility-focused environment focused on the special needs of seniors. These safe units, staffed by geriatric clinicians and support staff, emphasize comfort, orientation, good nutrition, sleep hygiene, skin care, and emotional and cognitive support.

As leaders in geriatric care, Penn Medicine was the first to offer ACE units in the Philadelphia area, helping older patients resume their former lives after hospitalization. With these specialized geriatric settings, people can recover functional losses caused by illness and, when appropriate, aim for discharge back home rather than to a rehabilitation facility.

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Penn Medicine at Home

Receiving care at home has been shown to lead to faster recovery with fewer complications. We offer hospital-quality care for a wide range of services, from physical and speech therapy to skilled nursing and personal care provided in the comfort of your home.

A black senior woman with cancer, wearing a scarf on her head, sitting in a chair looking contemplative

Older Adult Oncology Program

Our Older Adult Oncology Program focuses on the treatment of cancer in older adults, offering personalized care that considers the unique challenges and health concerns of elderly patients. 

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Our doctors

Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.

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Locations

Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.

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