Senior care that honors the dignity and well-being of older adults
MedStar Health is a leader in Geriatrics and Senior Services because we address the needs of older adults and their families in a variety of ways:
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We offer a full continuum of services, including:
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Office-Based Primary Care and Consults
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Home-Based Primary Care (House Calls)
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Health care in Independent, Assisted Living, and Nursing Home settings
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Hospital consults
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Our dedicated teams include board-certified Geriatricians, Advanced Practice Providers (NPs and PAs), Social Workers, Nurses, and Coordinators
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We offer caregiver support and resources from social workers and team staff
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Access to skilled home nursing, rehabilitation therapy, and aide services
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Access to on-site labs, radiology, medical specialists, and hospital care
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Telehealth options by video or audio-only (phone visits)
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We help patients and caregivers develop personalized care plans
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We offer a model of an age-friendly health system focused on “4Ms” of Geriatrics (Mobility, Mental Status, Medications, and what Matters)
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Multiple locations in Baltimore, Montgomery County, and Washington, D.C.
Patients and caregivers choose us because we work with them on what matters most, aim to improve quality of life, and manage all medical and social concerns. Our goal is to help elders live well at home, where they want to be.
For more information, call our offices in Baltimore (443-444-4720) at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital, Montgomery County (301-570-7400) at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, or Washington D.C. (202-877-0570) at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Geriatric specialties and programs
Conditions and treatments
Conditions
Treatments
Meet our providers
We provide comprehensive and coordinated care from a team extensively trained to develop individualized treatment plans for older adults.
Visit our neighborhoods
Washington, D.C.
Discover the services available to you or your loved one in Washington, D.C.
In Washington, D.C., a dedicated team works to provide the highest quality of medical care to elders and families who are most in need.
We care for people 65 years and over and offer team services in the community and at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
These services include:
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Hospital Geriatrics Consults
Baltimore
This photo was selected prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. All providers are expected to follow the current MedStar Health guidelines for safety, including proper masking and physical distancing where appropriate. Learn more at MedStarHealth.org/Safe
Managing Movement Disorders in the Elderly
Learn how multidisciplinary geriatric care helped Lila Shelton.
Montgomery County
Center for Successful Aging at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center
At the Center for Successful Aging at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center, we offer a wide range of services tailored to meet the complex medical needs of older adults.
Our services include:
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Inpatient Geriatric Consultations
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Sub Acute Rehabilitation (with partnered facilities)
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Assisted Living (with partnered facilities)
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Geriatric Primary Care
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Skilled Nursing Interventions
MedStar Health partners with Belvedere Green and Woodbourne Woods to offer eligible seniors independent living facilities with support services. Residents can get the help they need to live on their own in a comfortable, home-like setting. Medical care is right next door at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital.
For more information, please call the housing administrator at 410-433-7255 or learn more at Belvedere Green and Woodbourne Woods.
Frequently asked questions
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Arthritis, back, and joint pain
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Blood pressure
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High cholesterol
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Kidney conditions
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Memory loss
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Movement, gait, and balance
Blogs
Ways You Can Prevent Falls in Your Home
Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), every 19 minutes, an older adult dies from a fall. We can never predict the future, but we can be proactive about the steps to ensure a safe home environment and lifestyle. One of the most common causes of non-fatal injuries and hospital visits for trauma are falls. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce risk and prevent falling. Falls: myths vs. reality. According to the National Council on Aging, there are three common myths about falling: Myth 1: Other people fall, but I won’t. Reality: One-quarter of seniors fall every year in the U.S. The belief that “it won’t happen to me” is dangerous, because it can happen to anyone. The good news: there are actions you can take to prevent falls. For example, wearing appropriate shoes or keeping throw rugs and other tripping hazards out of your path, are among the ways you can prevent yourself and your older loved ones from falling. Myth 2: As I age, falling is normal. Reality: Falling has everything to do with safety precautions and nothing to do with your age. From wearing the proper footwear, to improving strength and balance through exercise, to having your vision checked, all of these actions can reduce your risk of falling. Myth 3: Taking medication doesn’t increase my risk of falling. Reality: There are many medications that have side effects that can actually increase the risk for a fall. Some medications make you dizzy or sleepy, which greatly increases your risk of falling. Others may make it difficult to think clearly or make you feel light headed or off balance. It’s important to talk to your doctor about the side effects of the medications you’re taking to understand if they may increase your fall risk. Preventing fall risks at home. While accidents happen and falls can occur at any time, there are things you can do around the house to prevent yourself or a loved one from falling. Here are some suggestions of safety measures you can implement throughout the different areas of your home: Floors Use non-slip rugs with rubber backing. Wrap up loose wires and cords or tape them down to the floor. Keep them out of walkways. Make sure walking pathways are clear of excessive furniture. Clear floors of items that can cause someone to trip like shoes, magazines, pets, etc. Stairs Fix loose or uneven steps. Install handrails on both sides. Attach non-slip rubber tread to steps. Increase lighting at the top and bottom of stairs and turn them on when using the stairs. Avoid leaving items on the steps. Bedrooms Ensure lamps are easy to reach. Use night lights. Store flashlights near your bed or where you can easily reach them, in case of a power outage. Bathrooms Add grab bars next to toilets and inside showers. Use a non-slip rubber mat or self-adhesive strips on the floor of the tub and shower. Add a raised toilet seat to assist with going from sitting to stand or vise versa. Use a shower chair or bench to sit on when taking a shower. Kitchen Keep often-used items in easy-to-reach places. Never use a chair as a step stool. Wipe up spills immediately. Every 11 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall. Learn how you can prevent yourself or a loved one from suffering from a fall on the #LiveWellHealthy blog: https://bit.ly/2JUmh3o. Click to Tweet Other safety measures to decrease the risk of falling. Review your medicines. Bring all your medicines, vitamins, and supplements to your pharmacist and/or doctor at least once a year and/or when there are changes in your health. Ask about side effects and interactions, especially if you take four or more medicines. Have your vision checked every year by an eye doctor. Exercise regularly. Exercise makes you stronger and improves your balance and coordination. Wear shoes with a rubber bottom. Do not wear shoes with an open back, slippery dress shoes or bare feet. Avoid going barefoot or wearing only socks. Get up slowly after you sit or lie down. Make home safety improvements. Reduce clutter, improve lighting in rooms, hallways and stairwells, and install handrails and grab bars. Do not let pets roam under your feet. Pets are very easy to trip over. Beware of rugs. Remove all small area rugs. Secure larger rugs with rubber backing. Purchase assistive devices. Assistive devices, such as a cane, walker or raised toilet seat can improve your balance. Ask your doctor about what type of assistive devices may be best for you. When to talk to your doctor. One way to reduce falls is to speak with your doctor about how to reduce your risk. Talk to your doctor if you have experienced one of the following in the last six months: A fall, or a near fall (slip or trip) Problems with walking or balance Muscle weakness (especially in the legs) Loss of feeling or numbness in your legs or feet Swelling in your ankles or feet Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Dizzy or lightheaded, passed out or fainted Changes in hearing or vision A fear of falling Problems doing daily activities at home, like bathing and getting dressed Once again, while it may not be possible to ensure you or a loved one never suffer from a fall, it’s important to take preventative steps to minimize the risk of one occurring. Being proactive could be the difference between a serious injury and a minor one, or none at all. Want more information about caring for your loved ones? Click below to learn more, and see how MedStar Health can help. MedStar Health Home Care
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More information
The Center for Successful Aging
Links
Videos
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Dr. George Hennawi’s Philosophy of Care
Research and education
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Optimizing Medication Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implementation Guide for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care – Naqvi, Brandt, Hennawi_
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Effects of Home-Based Primary Care on Medicare Costs in High-Risk Elders – K Eric De Jonge 1, Namirah Jamshed, Daniel Gilden, Joanna Kubisiak, Stephanie R Bruce, George Taler
In addition, our experts are studying a variety of other topics such as engaging individuals with dementia and their caregivers, NCGA patient-reported outcome measures, and age-friendly initiatives.