What is Integrative Geriatrics?
As the longevity of our society slowly increases, the number of patients over 65 looking for a comprehensive geriatric care is quickly rising. Unfortunately, the number of geriatricians in the U.S. has not been keeping up with the demand for their services.
Integrative Geriatric Medicine is a comprehensive approach to healthcare for older adults that combines conventional geriatric care with complementary and alternative treatments. It focuses on the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual aspects of aging. The goal is to minimize medication use and enhance the body’s natural healing processes, providing personalized care that promotes overall well-being and quality of life in older adults.
Program Director
Our integrative geriatrician, Mikhail Kogan, MD is a Medical Director of GW Center for Integrative Medicine. Dr. Kogan is an Associate Professor of Medicine at GWU Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care. He also serves as an Associate Director of Integrative Medicine Fellowship at GWU School of Medicine. Dr. Kogan has been trained and board-certified in both Integrative Medicine and Geriatrics. You can find dr. Kogan’s full CV on this page.
GW Center for Integrative Medicine approach
GW Center for Integrative Medicine is the first in the world to offer Academic Integrative Geriatrics consultations and primary care. Why is this so special?
While there are many excellent geriatricians, few are able to manage chronic medical conditions with little or no reliance on medications.
Our specialists recommend and prescribe:
- functional medicine assessments
- specific diets recomendations
- supplements and herbals
- appropriate exercise
- modalities such as acupuncture, massage, reiki and many others
- Intravenous Therapy and vitamin and supplements injections
- Medical cannabis consultations and coaching
- lifestyle and routine adjustments
- mental health support and mindfulness
- cognitive assessments
- ReCODE™ program and support groups
GW Center for Integrative Medicine team will provide you with generous time and thorough attention during your visits to fully understand your health, current care, and individual needs.
Reducing side-effects of medications
Through years of experience we have found that often we are able to decrease or eliminate the dependency on medications and thus substantially minimize the risk of side effects. Side effects of multiple medications, especially pain-killers, is one of the largest concerns for geriatric population.
Cognition Care
Dr. Kogan and his team at GWCIM offer most of the ReCODE program (The Dr. Bredesen protocol™ and the ReCODE Protocol™ ) for Alzheimer treatment via TeleHealth and in person to new and existing patients. Visit our ReCODE page to learn more about cognitive decline reversal and Alzheimer disease treatment. ReCODE program is a separate program from geriatric primary care service. Patients enroll into reCODE program separately. In addition, we run weekly “Renewing Mind and Body” support Group for patients with cognitive decline. This is group is open to everybody who can benefit from this support, including family members.
Creating your “Medical Home”
We strongly believe in the principle that innate healing capacity is present in every human being, despite their age or chronic conditions. We carefully create an individualized plan that involves our support staff and a team of clinical providers. The result is a “medical home” where we address your needs carefully, emphasizing more natural approaches.
We will collaborate with all your important medical providers such as cardiologists, pulmonologists and any others.
Our affiliation with the GW University Geriatric and Palliative Care Medicine Division and Fellowship keeps us true to the evidence-based principles. We play a key educational role within the GWU and across the U.S. Dr. Mikhail Kogan has been asked to serve as a founding board member on the American Board of Integrative Medicine (ABOIM). Our clinic is one of the few clinical training sites for the world’s first Integrative Geriatric Fellowship Program.
Please note that GW Center for Integrative Medicine does not accept any medical insurance plans and is the cash-based medical practice. We assist you as much as we can in allocating your insurance resources. Supplements, medical foods, diets, and modalities such as acupuncture are covered by some insurance plans on limited basis. Many other fees can be covered by your FSA or HSA and are tax-deductible. We will provide you with all needed paperwork.
You can view our fees and policies on the dedicated page: Our Fees and Policies.
The initial visit is typically scheduled with Dr. Mikhail Kogan. Additional therapies and approaches are discussed during initial and follow-up appointments.
Our Integrative Geriatrics team:
- Mikhail Kogan, MD
- Marianna Ledenac, ND
- Sally Novak, LCSW, LAc.
- Tiffany Hoyt, DAOM, LAc.
- Ajowa Ifateyo, nutritionist, ReCODE coordinator
- Abraham Benavides, MD
- Joelle Rabion, medical cannabis coach
- Yael Flusberg, Reiki and Yoga therapist
Dr. Mikhail Kogan is the editor and author of “Integrative Geriatric Medicine” textbook, published by Oxford University Press in 2017. This definitive textbook in Dr. Andrew Weil series offers a comprehensive exploration of integrative approaches to promoting health and well-being in older adults. The book is available for purchase on Amazon.
