Geriatrics refers to the health care of older adults, an age group that is not easy to define precisely. Gerontology is the study of aging, including biological, sociological, and psychological changes. Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a medical specialty that focuses on addressing the unique health needs of older adults. The term geriatrics has its origin in the Greek, geriatric, geron, meaning old man, and iatros, meaning healer.
Its objective is to promote health through the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in older adults. Older adults may be healthy, but they are more likely to have chronic health problems and to need more medical care. There is no definite age after which patients can be under the care of a geriatrician or a geriatric doctor, a doctor who specializes in caring for the elderly. Rather, this decision is guided by the individual needs of patients and the care structures available to them.
This care can benefit those who are managing multiple chronic conditions or who are experiencing significant age-related complications that endanger the quality of daily life. Geriatric care may be appropriate if care responsibilities become increasingly stressful or medically complex for family members and caregivers to manage independently. A geriatric doctor, also called a geriatrician, is a doctor who specializes in caring for the medical needs of older adults. They diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions that can occur as one ages.
They talk to you about your personal goals for your care and tailor treatment to your unique preferences and needs. Geriatric medicine specializes in treating conditions often experienced by older adults. There are many variables that differentiate the treatment of older adults from that of younger adults, such as polypharmacy, the vague presentation of symptoms, and difficulties in attributing them to cases where several health conditions occur at the same time.
Care for the elderly
, or simply care for the elderly (also known in some parts of the English-speaking world as care for the elderly), meets the needs of older adults.It includes assisted living, adult day care, long-term care, nursing homes (often referred to as residential care), palliative care, and home care. Geriatric care is a specialized unit of general medicine that focuses on the prevention, medical diagnosis and treatment of age-related conditions and disabilities. It encompasses a comprehensive approach to addressing the physical, mental and social well-being of older adults, usually those aged 65 and over. Nurse practitioners have advanced training that allows them to prescribe certain medications, perform tests, diagnose and treat certain diseases, and work with people, such as older adults and caregivers, to manage decision-making about care and treatment. Respite services include traditional home care, as well as adult day health, skilled nursing, home health care, and short-term institutional care.
Geriatric syndromes are a term used to describe a group of clinical conditions that have a high prevalence in older people. A surprising third of the participants reported that they did not meet the medication administration schedule on their own. However, the cost may vary depending on the level of care required, the environment and the individual's insurance coverage or financial resources. Nursing functions are diverse and range from providing or supervising direct care and coordinating case management to setting standards of nursing practice, developing quality assurance procedures, and managing complex nursing care systems.
However, a ladder designed with the ergonomics and usage patterns of older people in mind can make it easier for everyone. These care plans are developed by a multidisciplinary team and take into account the person's medical history, functional abilities, cognitive status, social support system and personal preferences. The importance of centers for the elderly cannot be underestimated, as they provide a sense of belonging, offer the opportunity to see old acquaintances and make new friends, and encourage people to do activities of personal interest and to participate in the community. Many age-related changes are common, such as a mild decrease in vision and hearing, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, or a weakened immune system.
This occurs when there is damage to brain cells or a loss of connection between cells that causes them to die. Elderly care emphasizes the social and personal needs of older people who want to age with dignity and, at the same time, need assistance with daily activities and medical care.
