Presenting the Geriatric 5 M’s

The Geriatric 5 M’s is a mnemonic device officially presented by Dr. Mary Tinetti in April 2017 at the Canadian Geriatrics Society Annual meeting in Toronto. It provides a memorable framework to remember the core tenants of geriatric medicine.

The 5 M’s help geriatric specialists quickly and accurately explain their specialty. It also helps patients and families understand the main components of this important branch of medicine.

We hope that by presenting these 5 M’s, you will feel more confident when visiting the doctor’s office for yourself or with your loved ones.

MIND

This refers to cognitive health, including topics such as delirium, dementia and depression. It also includes lifelong learning and brain-stimulating activities and exercises such as solving puzzles and listening to music.

MOBILITY

Specialists are able to assist and instruct an aging loved one, family member or caregiver in proper balance training exercises and fall prevention strategies. Occupational therapists help to ensure that seniors will be safe in both their home and the community setting.

MEDICATIONS

Geriatric specialists are very familiar with rational and optimal drug prescribing, medication effects and interactions in the elderly, polypharmacy and finding non-pharmacologic alternatives in order to reduce medication burden.

MULTI-COMPLEXITY

Geriatric/Gerontology specialists are trained to evaluate seniors with medical complexity, multiple co-morbid conditions and complex bio-psycho-social situations, which ultimately may determine safety in the community setting.

MATTERS MOST

Everyone is different and therefore requires an individualized treatment plan depending on their own meaningful health care outcome goals, care preferences and priorities.

This post originally appeared on Ayuda’s blog. To learn more about aging and eldercare, sign up for our weekly newsletter!