The Vanishing Geriatric Doctors | Denver News

The pandemic exposed a silent crisis: a shrinking pool of doctors trained to care for older adults. As COVID-19 surged, Dr. Amy Beauprez found herself in nursing homes, offering comfort at the bedside — a role that underscored a deeper problem: fewer young physicians are choosing geriatrics. With only four fellowship spots in Colorado this year — and most filled through desperate last-minute fixes — the shortage is nationwide. Geriatric care demands unique skills: managing complex meds, preventing delirium, weighing life expectancy in treatment decisions — all while facing low pay and crushing student debt. Without more trainees and mentors, especially in aging rural communities, older Americans risk falling through the cracks. But for those who embrace the field, the rewards are profound — even if the path is hard. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/ffe0ea8d5e7726a5