Specialists

Elderly services department

Click to learn more

The UK is an aging population and Care of the Elderly is now one of the largest specialties in terms of Consultant numbers.

Many older people require complex specialized care and Elderly Services can provide assessment, diagnosis and treatment of conditions specific to older people. Our experienced Consultants can diagnose and treat illness and conditions specific to Older adults.

Symptoms and conditions

Literature on this site is for information purposes only, please do not use it to self-diagnose or any form of self-treatment. We recommend that you see a registered healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment plan.

Possible symptoms:

As we get older our bones gradually lose density and are at increased risk of breaking more easily. Increased risk of developing Osteoporosis is linked to women who had early menopause, women who are underweight or have an eating disorder, smokers, people who drink excess alcohol and people who have had long term steroid treatments. The gold standard test for this is a DXA scan which checks bone density. X-rays and other imaging can also pick up on bone density. Treatments can include vitamin supplements (calcium and vitamin D), medications that help bone density increase (Bisphosphonates) and surgical treatments if required.
Memory issues in the elderly are common and can have many different causes including stress, anxiety, insomnia but also more serious causes such as dementia, Parkinsons etc. Therefore it is important to make contact early when things such as forgetting appointments/events, forgetting names or faces, being confused in unfamiliar environments. Diagnostic questionnaires to test memory and cognition, blood tests and brain scans can be done to assess for the cause of the memory issues.
Dementia is most commonly associated with memory loss however there a group of symptoms which make up dementia and are associated with declining brain function. It can affect understanding, mood, movement and can result in difficulties in being able to carry out daily activities. It can cause personality changes, hallucinations, problems with communicating and will generally get worse over time. Although there is no current cure for this disease, an early diagnosis can mean the progress is slowed and may enable the person suffering with symptoms to maintain their ability to function for longer. Cognitive functioning tests and blood tests can be done with brain scans if required.
A stroke is a medical emergency with urgent treatment necessary to reduce the amount of permanent damage caused. Symptoms of stroke include – drooping of the eyes and mouth, inability to lift the arms and keep them I the air and difficulty speaking. Following a stroke the correct rehabilitation is important to restore lost function – this can include physiotherapy, occupational therapy, psychology and speech therapy.
Falls and fractures in older people are often preventable and reducing the risk is important to maintain health, wellbeing and independence of older people. There can be many causes of falling in older people – muscle weakness, poor balance, visual impairment, too many medications, environmental hazards and other medical conditions. It is important that if an elderly person begins having falls that the potential causes are addressed to reduce risk of further decline in mobility and independence.

Related conditions:

Osteoporosis
Memory Issues
Dementia
Stroke
Falls/Balance issues

What's involved?

Consultation Process

Symptom assessment

The consultant will ask you to describe your symptoms and concerns and take a medical history.

Physical examination

The consultant will carry out an appropriate physical examination.

Tests and investigations

The consultant will arrange appropriate tests and investigations such as blood tests and imaging.

FAQs

See All FAQs

Is Virtually expensive to use?

For instant access to high quality, regulated healthcare the costs of the service are very reasonable. Our service is linked to healthcare insurance providers and your medical care from Virtually maybe covered by your health insurance. Interest free payment plans are also available.

Do my NHS records get transferred to Virtually?

No. However, to provide Virtually clinicians as much information as possible to provide you with the best care possible, we would ask you to allow us to have temporary electronic access to your medical records. We will give you simple instructions on how to give our clinicians access if needed.

Is Virtually right for me?

Virtually is a great service for anyone who doesn’t currently have a GP or who struggles to get an appointment with their existing NHS GP. The app is built for people of all ages and backgrounds. If you like the idea of speaking to a clinician online from the comfort of your own home or workplace then use Virtually. We have online appointments available Monday to Sunday. You won’t be giving up the ability to see your own GP. Any virtually consultation will be forwarded to your NHS GP.

Can I choose whether I speak with a male or female clinician?

Yes. Not only can you choose whether your clinician is male or female, but you can also choose the specific person you wish to speak with. We’ll display a list of the available clinicians, and you can choose the doctor or nurse you want to speak to. That means if they are available you can speak to the same clinician every time.

Is the service secure?

All of the personal or sensitive information we hold about you is protected by encryption and held in secure UK-based data centres. We ask you to not share the password to your Virtually account with anyone to ensure the security of your account.

How does it work when things can’t be done digitally?

Sometimes we may need to see you in person. For example, for vaccinations, smear tests or to carry out an appropriate physical examination. If we need to see you in person, we’ll ask you to book an in-person appointment by calling or emailing our patient support team.

Can you refer me to a hospital near me?

If you need to be seen at a hospital our doctors will refer you to any NHS or private hospital in England of your choice (although most patients choose a hospital near their home or workplace).

Do I have to switch from my current GP?

No. Virtually is not an NHS service. We will liaise with your current GP with your permission to ensure your NHS medical records are kept up to date.

Where is your clinic?

If you do need to see a doctor in person, our specialists see patients both in consulting rooms and at private hospitals in and around London.

How long are the appointments?

Unlike most GP appointment slots which are 10 minutes. Virtually appointments are at least 30 minutes long allowing enough time to address the nature of your condition or symptoms.

How soon can I get an appointment?

We have clinicians available within an hour for digital appointments. In-person appointments may be a slightly longer wait.

How do prescriptions work?

A private prescription will be sent to you online, within one hour of your consultation.

Who are the clinicians?

Our team of clinicians are made of GPs, Pharmacists, Physicians Assistants and Nurses, all of whom are employed by Virtually. All our clinicians are UK based with some working remotely.

Can I see you face to face?

For some conditions we may request to see you in person at our clinic. You are always welcome to book a face-to-face appointment with our team if you wish, however you may have to wait slightly longer for in-person appointments than you do for digital appointments.

See All FAQs

Testimonials

Thank you Virtually!

“I would like to thank you once again for helping me to get a swift diagnosis about the condition of my heart. In a world where talk is even cheaper than it used to be, your positive action on my behalf was over and above the call of duty, and I am truly grateful. ”

Sophie Rogers

I could not have had a better, more professional and more personable consultant Neurologist.”

Joanna Fernandes

I am just beginning to see a shaft of light in the middle of a very dark tunnel and that is solely down to you… we could never have achieved this without your professional intervention, so thank you very much Virtually.”

Anita Windsor

About us

Virtually provides customised care pathways which encompass consultation, treatment, prevention and health coaching for organisations and employers wanting to give their staff access to fast, convenient and high-quality health and wellbeing care.

We are passionate about supporting people to live healthier and happier lives and making the most of their potential. Everything we do aims to achieve that.

Working with Virtually will make you passionate about the health and welfare of your staff which will convert into sustained improvements in your business performance.