Aging and Senior Health | UC Davis Health

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.

Older female patient speaking with a male doctor.

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.

Our Difference

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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.

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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.

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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.

Receive expert care at UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center
Diabetes

Older adults are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and experience disease-related complications.

Learn more at our Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
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.

Check out our heart and vascular services
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.

See how our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Program helps patients and caregivers
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.

Learn about our mental health services
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.

See how our Mobility Clinic reduces your risk of falls
Urinary Incontinence

Uncontrollable leaking of urine, or urinary incontinence, becomes more common as you age.

Discover how our urologists can help

"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.
An older man getting his blood pressure checked by a nurse in blue scrubs.

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As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.

Referring Physicians

To refer a patient, you can submit an electronic referral form or call.

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Awards and Recognitions
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USNWR Best Hospital badge

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, obstetrics & gynecology, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

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US News & World Report best Children’s Hospital badge

Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

A U.S. News & World Report best children’s hospital in diabetes & endocrinology, nephrology, and orthopedics*. (*Together with Shriners Children’s)

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USNWR best regional hospital badge

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, hip replacement, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, ovarian cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, uterine cancer surgery, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and orthopedics.

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Magnet designation badge

The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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Chime acute badge

“Most Wired” for acute care

UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.

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Chime ambulatory badge

“Most Wired” for ambulatory care

UC Davis Health has been recognized as a level 10 out of 10 in the Digital Health “Most Wired” program from the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). The honor recognizes excellence in using technology to improve the delivery of care.

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NCI badge

World-class cancer care

One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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HEI LGBTQ badge

A leader in health care equality

For the 11th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as a “Leader in LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality.”

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