As you get older, your health needs change. Maintaining good health is more than eating right and leading a healthy lifestyle. It’s about being proactive with your health. That’s why it’s so important to see your primary care doctor regularly. Your doctor can help you prepare for and manage the physical, mental and emotional changes of aging.

Our primary care doctors work with specialty care doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, behavioral health consultants, rehabilitation therapists and other specialists to take care of all your health needs. At University of Missouri Health Care, you have a team of specialists that’s focused on your health and well-being. We provide everything from preventive care and disease management to specialized care for heart attacks, stroke, joint and bone health, vision, memory problems and much more.

As a patient at our academic health center, you can get treatments before they’re widely available. Our doctors, researchers and educators are looking for new ways to improve the health and quality of life for older adults — this expertise makes us a geriatric care leader in mid-Missouri.

And, we make being proactive with your health easier. Most of our Family Medicine doctors see geriatric patients, and with so many MU Health Care locations, visiting your doctor is convenient. You can get lab results, access your medical records, contact your doctor and much more through our patient portal.

We’ve designed our geriatric medicine services to provide you with the health care, resources and support you need to lead a longer, happier life.

Personalized evaluation for older adults

Many older adults face challenges with memory, emotional health, medications, independent living or adjusting to a new living arrangement. The Senior Assessment Geriatric Evaluation (SAGE) clinic is designed to help.

Our specialized team — which includes a geriatrician, social worker, physical therapist, pharmacist and dietitian — assesses your physical, emotional and nutritional health, as well as your lifestyle. At the end of the appointment, you’ll have customized recommendations based on your needs. This could include:

• A recommended dietary plan, including sample menus, healthy eating tips and more.
• Education materials to help you maintain good health or inform you and your family about your condition.
• Lifestyle tips to help you lead a healthier, more active life
• Referrals to specialists or community services as needed
• Tips to help you manage your medications

You don’t need a referral to schedule an appointment. But, your insurance provider may require a doctor’s referral for coverage. Be sure to check with your insurance company.

Your visit

After you make your appointment, you’ll receive a medical records release form and a questionnaire from us. Please complete and return them to us before your appointment. This allows us to perform a thorough assessment and give you personalized feedback.

Your appointment lasts about three hours, so you may want to eat something beforehand or bring a snack. Please have a family member or friend come with you to the appointment, and bring:

• All your current medications. This includes nonprescription drugs and supplements.
• Your insurance card and any necessary copayment. Medicare and several supplemental insurances cover clinic services, but check with your provider to confirm your coverage.

Specialized care in the hospital

We understand how important it is to live independently as you get older, and we can help you preserve your independence. MU Health Care’s University Hospital has central Missouri's only Acute Care for Elders (ACE) unit — care specially designed for older adults. Our doctors work with a specialized team to help you maintain function, prevent injuries and spend less time in the hospital.

In fact, research shows when older adults who live at home are admitted to an ACE unit, they spend less time in the hospital. Also, after discharge from an ACE unit, people are more likely to go home rather than to a nursing facility.

Whether it’s monitoring how a medicine affects you or designing a rehab program for a broken bone, your care team will help you maintain your health and independence.