Geriatric Care
We typically see new patients within 24 to 48 hours, and offer early-morning and Saturday appointments.
Living well requires personalized care, especially as we age. Many seniors face chronic illnesses—and managing those conditions can mean juggling care and medications from multiple specialists.
The Senior Health Outpatient Program at MetroHealth’s Old Brooklyn Health Center is an innovative practice, bringing quality senior health care in Cleveland under one roof.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with the Senior Outpatient Program, call 216-957-2100.
We typically see new patients within 24 to 48 hours, and offer early-morning and Saturday appointments.
Specialties
We provide the following medical specialties to address the unique health needs of seniors:
- audiology
- cardiology (Heart & Vascular Center) and cardiac imaging
- dentistry
- dermatology
- ear, nose and throat (ENT)
- endocrinology
- gastroenterology
- geriatrics/primary care
- kidney specialists
- laboratory services
- neurology
- pharmacy – get your medications the same day
- physical medicine and rehabilitation
- podiatry
- preventative and wellness care
- pulmonary
- radiology services
- rheumatology
- support services
When to Start a Geriatrics Program
- Retirement. Geriatricians aren't just for "old" people. Many people of retirement age find that their medical needs change when they're no longer working.
- Geriatric conditions. A geriatrician can help—no matter your age—if you experience geriatric syndromes, such as dementia, depression or delirium. Most people think of these as memory issues, memory loss or confusion.
- Medication management. There's a place in geriatrics for anyone who is prescribed many medications—especially if those medications come from multiple providers. A geriatrician can provide invaluable advice on drug interactions and other medication issues.
- Mobility concerns. A geriatrician is also a good resource for people who have experienced falls or are afraid of falling. They help people who are becoming frail - losing weight or becoming less sure-footed don't have to mean the end of robust health.
- Ongoing pain or illness. A geriatrician can help you to pull together a health plan that respects where you are now and where you want to be in the future. A geriatrician is trained to listen to what you want, not what your age might suggest.
Wellness Exams
The best illnesses and injuries are the ones that never happen. Wellness exams help your geriatrician focus on prevention. These visits are also a great way for us to get to know you—and your health concerns—better.
Two types of wellness visits are covered by Medicare:
- A one-time Welcome to Medicare visit.
- A yearly wellness visit.
At these visits, we'll talk about your medical history and review risk factors. Then, we'll develop a prevention plan to help keep you healthy. Common topics at wellness visits include cholesterol numbers, how to lower blood pressure and whether you need a bone density test.
But how does a Medicare Wellness exam differ from that annual physical you’ve been getting for years? Learn more about wellness exams!
Support for Caregivers
At MetroHealth, we understand that senior wellness is often a team endeavor. Many times, it's adult children or caregivers who see the need for geriatric care. We partner with families and caregivers and work to communicate with everyone involved in a patient's care.
Caregiving can be overwhelming, but you aren't alone. MetroHealth offers a Caregivers Support Group. This free, open group meets twice a month. It's a community where caregivers can get information and peer support. Ask about upcoming meetings at your next visit.
MyChart Online Portal
All MetroHealth patients have access to this tool, which is safe, secure and password-protected. Patients may give caregivers proxy to their MyChart account, or they may choose to share results with the people they love. That way, families can keep track of health care, even if they can't attend appointments in person.
Parking and Transportation
Parking: Garage is next to the building. Easy-access bridge connects the garage to the health center. Seniors receive a $1 discount in MetroHealth parking garages by showing a valid photo ID.
Transportation assistance: Ask about this service when making your appointment.
Geriatric Resources and Helpful Links
First Call for Help is a comprehensive information and referral provider service available through the United Way Services. This free and confidential program is your link to more than 10,000 health and human services available in Cuyahoga County.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people age 50 and older have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. Since 1958, AARP has been leading a revolution in the way people view and live life.
Provides support and resources to individuals suffering from memory loss, and their families, in a five-county region of northeast Ohio. The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. The disease currently affects more than five million American adults and is the 6th leading cause of death in the country.
For more than 100 years, the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging has worked to improve care for older adults and their caregivers. Benjamin Rose is an innovator in service delivery, a leader in research, and an advocate for older adults in Northeast Ohio and nationally.
The City of Cleveland Department of Aging is committed to ensuring that its vision statement can be realized by enhancing the quality of life for Cleveland Seniors through advocacy, planning, service coordination, and the delivery of needed services.
Cleveland Public Library Seniors Connect is a resource for Ohio's seniors to find resources on age-related issues and utilize the library's services for reference and recreational reading and multimedia material.
The mission of the Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services is to empower seniors and adults with disabilities to age successfully by providing resources and support that preserve their independence.
Fairhill Partners helps older adults help themselves. More than 1,000 greater Clevelanders every year enroll in workshops to help them take charge of their health, manage chronic conditions, pain and concerns about falling including A Matter of Balance. Fairhill operates a small homeless shelter just for seniors, provides assistance with benefits enrollment, and offers a fitness center and fitness classes for the community. Support groups and educational sessions for family and kinship caregivers are held weekly.
Golden Buckeye cardholders have saved an estimated $2 billion since 1976. All Ohioans age 60 or older, as well as adults age 18–59 who have disabilities as defined by Social Security, are eligible for a free Golden Buckeye card.
Medicare is health insurance for people 65 or older, people under 65 with certain disabilities, and people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
OSHIIP provides free health insurance information and services for people with Medicare. OSHIIP provides information about Medicare health coverage for seniors and for people younger than 65 with disabilities, Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare supplemental insurance, financial assistance programs for people with limited income, long-term care insurance, home health care coverage, and retiree health plan coverage
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority online provides information on trip planning, fares and passes, timetables, maps, and schedule and important information on how to ride.
In Northeast Ohio, Old Brooklyn is home to one of the largest populations of residents 60 years and older. While many of these seniors still care for themselves, many rely on charitable organizations for ongoing support and opportunities to stay active within the community. Visit Senior Citizen Resources to learn more.
Senior Transportation Connection (STC) provides comprehensive, coordinated, efficient and affordable transportation to seniors and adults with disabilities throughout Cuyahoga County. STC will take you to a medical appointment, including dialysis, rehabilitation and treatment, senior centers meals and programs, grocery shopping, personal service appointments and social opportunities.
The Social Security Administration delivers services through a nationwide network of more than 1,400 offices that include regional offices, field offices, card centers, teleservice centers, processing centers, hearing offices, the Appeals Council, and our State and territorial partners, the Disability Determination Services.
The Visiting Nurses Association of Ohio is one of the largest not-for-profit, community-based home healthcare organizations in Ohio. We're experts in home healthcare; it's all that we do.
The WRAAA works to create opportunities for older Ohioan's to receive needed services and optimum care; and to age successfully in their own homes and communities.