Aging and Senior Health
Your medical needs and risks for certain conditions increase as you get older. Recognized as an age-friendly health system, our team of geriatric specialists helps you get the most from your years.
Medically reviewed on Oct. 09, 2023.
Advanced Care for Older Adults
As an older adult, you may need comprehensive, specialized geriatric care. You get that and more at UC Davis Health, recognized as an age-friendly health system in Sacramento.
This national recognition is awarded by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and The John A. Hartford Foundation. It means we focus on the health outcomes that matter most to you.
We also put a high priority on age-related conditions such as mobility, cognition, frailty and mental health. You benefit from comprehensive services that meet your unique needs as you age.
On this page
Our Difference
Healthy Aging Clinic
Our Healthy Aging Clinic helps people 65 and older. We help you enjoy the best quality of life and live independently for as long as possible. Clinic services include nutrition counseling, mobility services and brain health.
Mobility Care
Our mobility care assesses gait and movement and helps reduce risk factors for falls. We focus on education and safety, helping older adults to live an independent life for as long as possible.
Age-Friendly Emergency Care
Older adults receive emergency medical care at our age-friendly emergency department (ED). Our Gold Level 1 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation is the highest rating ED’s can earn. It reflects our ability to provide specialized emergency services to people 65 and older.
Health Conditions in Older Adults
Our geriatricians perform physical exams and advanced health screenings to detect conditions that become more common as you get older. We offer the latest treatments to keep conditions in check and minimize complications.
Common Conditions That Affect Older Adults
Cancers
Your cancer risk increases with age. Older adults are more likely to develop certain blood cancers like leukemia. There’s also a higher risk of bladder cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, prostate cancer and skin cancer.
Diabetes
Older adults are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and experience disease-related complications.
Heart Disease
Your risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes goes up with each passing year. You can lower this risk by managing your blood pressure and cholesterol.
Memory Loss
Some amount of memory loss is common with age. Dementia affects your ability to think, remember, learn and reason. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia in people over 65.
Mental Health Issues
Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues affect about 15% of people over 60. Poor mental health can lead to poor physical health.
Mobility Difficulties
Falls injure at least 3 million older adults every year. Muscle weakness, arthritis and neurological disorders can affect your ability to get around.
Urinary Incontinence
Uncontrollable leaking of urine, or urinary incontinence, becomes more common as you age.
"Memory, Forgetfulness, and Aging: What's Normal and What's Not?" NIH National Institute on Aging, https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/memory-forgetfulness-and-aging-whats-normal-and-whats-not
"Mental health of older adults," World Health Organization, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-of-older-adults
"The State of Mental Health and Aging in America," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), https://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/mental_health.pdf
"Facts About Falls," CDC, https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html
Why You Need Dedicated Geriatric Health Care
Your risk of heart disease, cancer, memory loss, falls and other issues increases with age. Our dedicated geriatric health care providers protect your health so you can enjoy a long life.
- Your diet, physical activity and lifestyle choices make a difference as you age.
- Regular checkups find problems early.
- Proper disease management prevents chronic conditions from worsening.
Conditions and Treatments
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Awards and Recognitions
Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals
A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cancer, cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, orthopedics, and pulmonology & lung surgery.
Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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