Duke University Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development

GERIATRIC EVALUATION AND TREATMENT CLINIC

Welcome
Clinic Services
Appointment
Visiting the Clinic
Care of Aging

WELCOME

The Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment (GET) Clinic, part of Duke's Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, is both a service and a resource for the elderly and their families. Since its founding in 1967, the Clinic's purpose has been to help persons over age 65 cope with the challenges of daily living and health maintenance - a goal that often is made more difficult by chronic illness and the aging process. Core staff members include physicians trained in geriatrics, internal medicine, family medicine and psychiatry, as well as social workers, psychologists and nurses. All have special training and experience in treating geriatric conditions and enjoy helping older patients. As part of the Duke University Medical Center, the Clinic enjoys access to many other medical specialists, including physical therapists and neurologists. The GET Clinic also serves as a clinical research site. Because of the need to increase knowledge about the normal and abnormal aspects of aging, the opportunity to participate in research activities is offered to some patients. Research functions of the clinic are separate from the service functions, and participation in research projects is entirely voluntary. We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Harvey Jay Cohen, M.D.
Director
Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development

CLINIC SERVICES

The GET Clinic provides a variety of services to older people and their families. They include:

• Medical Evaluation and Treatment of problems common in later life, including (but not limited to) arthritis, osteoporosis, urinary incontinence, shingles, post-shingles pain and multiple medication use. Clinic staff members are skilled in the assessment of elders with multiple problems. The goal of treatment is to help patients participate as fully as possible in the activities of daily living.
• Cognitive and Psychiatric Evaluation and Treatment of such conditions as memory problems, confusion, dementia, depression, anxiety, thought disorders and psychological testing. The clinic is closely associated with the Duke Family Support Program and can arrange referral to this important resource for family members of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other disabling illnesses.
• Social Evaluation and Counseling for caregiver stress, adjustment issues for seniors and family members, problems of daily living and problems managing individuals with a dementing illness. The clinic also provides information about community resources that help older people continue living in their own homes.
• Level of Care Consultation to evaluate the need for appropriate care and to plan for it, if necessary.

TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Currently, we accept appointments by physician referral only. Clinic staff members work cooperatively with the patient's physician to develop a treatment plan that can be carried out in the home community in conjunction with the patient's primary care provider. All information obtained through the assessment and evaluation in the Clinic will be shared with the family and referring physician as requested by the patient.

Please ask your physician's office to contact us at 919-620-4070 between the hours of 8:00 - 4:30, Monday through Friday. The Clinic is located at 4020 North Roxboro Street near Durham Regional Hospital. Parking is available next to the building. Our full information is as follows:

Geriatric Evaluation and Treatment Clinic
Divsion of Geriatric Medicine
DUMC 3469
Duke University Medical Center
Durham NC 27710
Phone: 919-620-4070
Fax: 919-471-3624
Address: 4020 North Roxboro Street Durham NC 27704

VISITING THE CLINIC

The patient's first visit takes from one-and-a-half to four hours. During this time, the patient and his/her family will be seen by a number of staff members. Because we make a complete assessment of each patient's physical, psychological and social condition, it is not unusual for one or two physicians, a social worker, a nurse and other members of the clinic staff to take part in the examination. It is important that a copy of the patient's medical records be sent or brought to the clinic for the first appointment. This allows staff members to prepare for the patient's visit. Patients also should bring all the medications that they currently are taking, including non-prescription drugs. The GET Clinic honors private medical insurance, Medicare and Medicaid.

EXCELLENCE IN THE CARE OF THE AGING

Duke's research and teaching programs in geriatrics are among the nation's oldest. The Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, which encompasses the GET Clinic, was one of five centers for geriatric research established by the Surgeon General of the United States in 1955. It is the only continuously funded member of the original group. With more than 30 core staff members and more than $5 million in annual direct research funding, it remains a vital national resource for the study of aging. Current research includes studies of dysmobility, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, viruses, depression in later life and caregiver stress. The Center also is involved in an ambitious program designed to identify and educate future geriatricians.