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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