By Judy Santamaria, Greenwich Woods
Dr. Rajasekhar Buddhavarapu, Medical Director at Greenwich Woods Skilled Nursing & Rehab, has been named a Castle Connelly Top Doctor in the field of Geriatric Medicine for the third year in a row.
Dr. Buddha in his office at Greenwich Woods
Dr. Buddhavarapu, affectionately known as Dr. Buddha, did his Internal Medicine residency at New York Downtown Hospital, and three fellowships in Geriatrics, Integrative Care and Palliative Care. He serves as the Medical Director of Geriatrics and Palliative Care at White Plains Hospital and the Medical Director of Greenwich Woods Skilled Nursing & Rehab as well as several other long-term care facilities.
Geriatric medicine is a medical specialty focused on providing care for the unique health needs of the elderly who are often managing multiple medical conditions. Dr. Buddha chose to focus his expertise on geriatric care because he saw first-hand the complexities his aging patients were facing. Dr. Buddha stated, “Caring for the elderly is not just clinical. It requires a holistic approach that considers medical, psychological, social, functional and nutritional indicators.”
When working with aging patients, Dr. Buddha asks about their diet, whether they’re exercising, signs of depression and loneliness, the need for advanced directives, and their goals for treatment. Dr. Buddha stated, “How an elderly patient looks at their condition and treatment options can be very different from how a younger person would. I seek to empower my patients, giving them knowledge about their condition and options to drive their medical decisions.”
For more information on skilled care for the elderly, contact Yaakov Kramer, Administrator, Greenwich Woods Skilled Nursing & Rehab, 203-531-1335.