As Baby Boomers Age, Geriatricians Are in High Demand and Short Supply

The American Geriatrics Society estimates that the supply of geriatricians cannot meet demand as baby boomers age, reports KBIA . The national number of specialists can only accommodate about one-sixth of demand, and the Midwest region is suffering the most from the shortfall. The Alzheimer's Association said the number of geriatricians in Missouri, for instance, must grow by a factor of eight by 2050 to meet demands. Curtis Schreiber at the Missouri Memory Center explained that a lack of geriatricians makes it difficult for other doctors to care for patients, as a key role is communicating with other specialists to ensure awareness of other conditions that could be causing problems. "Geriatricians are a great resource for helping manage patients with Alzheimer's disease, especially when they have other medical conditions that make management more complicated," he said. Also in short supply and high demand are gerentologists. People with dementia, in particular, need a team of highly trained caregivers. But a dearth of experts means nursing communities must hire workers without the same level of education and experience.