PEOPLE can grow old gracefully and very healthily if they look after themselves and take the advice of their family doctor.
That’s the view of Australian Medical Association president Tony Bartone, who has worked for more than 30 years with patients as they move through the stages of life.
Speaking during Family Doctor Week (July 22-28), Dr Bartone described GPs as “the rock for all ages”.
“Family doctors work in partnership with their patients to ensure that living longer for those extra years can be active, healthy and productive,” he said.
“The evidence shows that having a regular GP leads to better health outcomes and improves quality of life.
“A trusted family doctor can look after most of a patient’s healthcare needs and provide them with advice on what is needed to ensure people enjoy good physical and mental health as they age.”
Dr Bartone said having one or more chronic conditions made healthcare more complex, so having a family doctor is all-important.
“Family doctors work with their patients as they grow older to plan the best treatment and management of their condition to ensure the journey through the health system is smooth,” he said.
“GPs help their patients set goals and make positive steps towards better health.”
Dr Bartone said an important part of healthcare and ageing is talking with family and friends about the inevitability of death and dying, even though it could be many years away.
“It is important for families to have these discussions to ensure that a parent, family member or loved one has their wishes known and carried through,” he said.
“GPs can work with patients and families to put in place an advance care plan, which ensures a person’s wishes are recognised in any decisions made on their behalf about their health care.”