How Indian Hospitals Are Rewriting the Rules of Geriatric Care with Clinics That Listen, Coordinate and Prevent Falls
By Arunima Rajan
In an interview with Arunima Rajan, Sayali Damle, consultant geriatric medicine specialist at Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, talks about how Indian hospitals are rewriting geriatric care with dedicated clinics, dementia-friendly standards, and coordinated plans that cut risky drug mixes and prevent falls.
How does Apollo Navi Mumbai define the role of a dedicated geriatric clinic in a multi-specialty hospital setting?
At Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, we believe a geriatric clinic is not just another specialty, it is the connective tissue between the science of modern medicine and the lived realities of ageing. Seniors often face what we call “health in layers”, heart issues on top of bone weakness, vision changes alongside memory concerns. In a multi-specialty hospital, they may need to see multiple experts, undergo different tests, and follow complex treatment plans. Without guidance, this can feel overwhelming.
Our geriatric clinic acts as their anchor and guide. We start with a detailed, holistic assessment that looks far beyond the presenting complaint, evaluating mobility, cognition, mood, social support, and even home safety. From there, we create a care plan that brings together the right specialists, coordinates investigations, and ensures treatments are in harmony with each other.
It’s not just about managing illness; it’s about navigating the hospital in a way that feels safe, supported, and human. The clinic is a place where seniors and their families know there is someone who understands the pace they need, the reassurance they value, and the dignity they deserve.
What are the most common health concerns you see among older patients in this region, and how do you tailor your services to address them?
In Navi Mumbai and surrounding areas, the health concerns among older adults tend to be multi-dimensional. We see degenerative joint problems like arthritis, hip or spine issues, heart disease and post-cardiac surgery care, vision decline, balance and gait instability, and a growing number of cases involving mild cognitive impairment or early dementia. There is also the silent epidemic of depression and loneliness, which often goes unnoticed in families focused on physical illness.
Many of our patients are also on multiple medicines, sometimes prescribed by different doctors, which can cause side effects or drug interactions. Addressing these overlaps requires careful review. We tailor services by bringing everything under one coordinated plan. For instance, if a senior comes to us after a fall, our response is layered: the orthopaedic surgeon treats the fracture, the physiotherapist works on mobility, the ophthalmologist checks vision, the pharmacist reviews medications for dizziness risk, and our geriatrician talks to the family about home modifications. By treating the patient’s overall context, not just the injury, we reduce future risks and improve quality of life.
How does the clinic coordinate care between different specialists for senior patients?
The challenge for older patients isn’t finding skilled doctors, it’s making sure those doctors speak to each other and the patient’s care doesn’t become fragmented. At our geriatric clinic, the geriatrician acts like the conductor of an orchestra. They hold the master score, the patient’s care plan, and ensure each specialist is in tune with the others.
We also assign a dedicated health manager for many patients. This person keeps track of appointments, makes sure reports are shared promptly, and updates families regularly. If a patient has a cardiology review, a physiotherapy session, and a lab test on the same day, we structure it to minimise fatigue and waiting time.
For families, this means no more chasing different departments for clarity. For patients, it means they can focus on getting better rather than navigating the system. This coordination is what transforms a hospital from a place of treatment to a place of genuine care.
Beyond medical treatment, what support do you offer for issues like mobility, nutrition, and mental health?
Ageing brings challenges that medicine alone cannot solve. At Apollo Navi Mumbai, we place equal emphasis on function, confidence, and emotional well-being.
Our physiotherapy team works on balance retraining, strengthening exercises, and post-surgical rehabilitation, so patients regain independence in walking and daily activities. Our nutritionists design diets that are practical and enjoyable, factoring in chewing difficulty, appetite changes, or diabetic needs. Mental health support is integrated. Psychologists help patients manage anxiety, depression, or cognitive changes, and also provide coping strategies for families. We pay close attention to sensory health, regular vision and hearing checks, because a simple improvement here can prevent accidents and social withdrawal. Our team also advises on small but important home adjustments: better lighting, grab bars in bathrooms, non-slip mats. These changes help seniors stay safer and feel more in control of their daily lives.
How do you involve family members in treatment decisions, especially with cognitive or mobility limitations?
For us, families are not just “next of kin”. They are co-pilots in the patient’s health journey. Older patients with memory loss, advanced illness, or mobility limitations often rely on their loved ones for both advocacy and care.
We involve them from the start, inviting them to consultations and, where needed, arranging virtual participation through video calls. Medical reports and updates are shared digitally so even distant family members stay informed. Our doctors take time to explain not just what treatment is needed, but why it matters and what the likely outcomes are.
We also support families emotionally, offering counselling for caregivers who may be under strain. Involving them ensures decisions are not made in isolation and that the care plan is realistic for the home environment the patient will return to.
Are there preventive care programmes that have worked especially well for your older patients?
Yes. Preventive care is one of the most impactful parts of our work. We have seen significant benefits from structured Annual Wellness Packages that include cardiovascular checks, bone density scans, cancer screenings, and vision tests.
We run vaccination programmes for flu, pneumonia, and shingles, which have reduced seasonal hospital admissions. Fall prevention is another success story: by combining gait analysis, vision checks, and medication reviews, we’ve helped many seniors avoid repeat injuries.
Cognitive screening is also a growing focus, catching memory issues early allows us to slow progression and prepare families. Each of these initiatives reduces avoidable hospital visits, preserves independence, and ultimately improves the quality of ageing.
How are you using technology like teleconsultations or remote monitoring for seniors who can’t visit often?
Travel can be exhausting for older patients, especially those recovering from illness or with mobility restrictions. To address this, we use technology as an extension of our clinic. Through Apollo 24/7, patients can speak to their doctors without leaving home. We equip some patients with remote monitoring tools for heart rate, oxygen saturation, blood sugar, and blood pressure. This data is reviewed by our team, and any concerning changes are flagged immediately.
Families also have access to the patient’s digital medical records, so even if they live abroad, they can track progress and stay in touch with the care team. In this way, technology allows us to keep a close, continuous watch, offering reassurance without the strain of frequent travel.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for expanding geriatric care in Navi Mumbai?
Our vision is to make comprehensive geriatric care a mainstream, everyday service, not something patients or families have to actively seek out. We want every older adult in Navi Mumbai to have easy access to specialist care, preventive programmes, and home-based services.
We plan to strengthen our home care capabilities, develop dedicated units for memory care and fall prevention, and expand outreach in senior living communities. We also aim to create more hybrid models that blend in-person visits with telehealth, so care can reach patients wherever they are.
Being part of the Apollo network allows us to share innovations and learnings across the country. In time, we hope to set a new national standard for elder care , one where living longer is matched by living better, with dignity, independence, and the comfort of knowing someone is always in your corner.
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