geriatrics

(jer″ē-a′triks )

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[Gr. geras, old age + -iatric + -ics ]
The branch of health care concerned with the care of the aged, including physiological, pathological, psychological, economic, and sociological problems. As life expectancy in society as a whole increases, geriatrics takes on ever greater importance in health care.
SYN: SEE: geriatric medicine
geriatric, adj. SEE: aging; SEE: gerontology; SEE TABLE: Some Important Issues in Geriatric Health Care
Some Important Issues in Geriatric Health Care

The prevention and treatment of avoidable infectious diseases

The prevention and treatment of delirium

The prevention and treatment of dementia

The prevention of falls; the treatment of gait disturbances

The preservation of functional independence

The prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic vascular disease and heart failure

The treatment of hypertension and the prevention of stroke

The optimization of long-term care

The maintenance of optimal nutrition

The prevention of osteoporotic fractures

The optimal use of palliation and end-of-life care

The optimal use of physical or chemical restraints

The optimal use of pharmaceutical agents

The prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence

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