FAQ / Definitions of Old Age
WIKI Definition of ELDERLY
What is Gerontology?
Study of the aging process and individuals as they grow from midlife through later life including the study of physical, mental and social changes; the investigation of the changes in society resulting from our aging population; the application of this knowledge to policies, programs, and practice.
What is Geriatrics?
The study of health and disease in later life; the comprehensive health care of older persons; and the well-being of their informal caregivers.
Geriatrics and the Role of the Geriatrician
Geriatrics is the branch of medicine that focuses on health promotion and the prevention and treatment of disease and disability in later life.
A geriatrician is a medical doctor who is specially trained to prevent and manage the unique and, oftentimes, multiple health concerns of older adults. Older persons may react to illness and disease differently than younger adults. Geriatricians are able to treat older patients, manage multiple disease symptoms, and develop care plans that address the special health care needs of older adults.
Generally, geriatricians are primary care physicians who are board-certified in either Family Practice or Internal Medicine and have also acquired the additional training necessary to obtain the Certificate of Added Qualifications in Geriatric Medicine. There are approximately 9,000 geriatricians in the U.S. In addition, there are several hundred osteopathic physicians (DO) certified in geriatrics, as well as some 2,400 board-certified geropsychiatrists (a psychiatrist trained to deal with the mental health needs and specific syndromes faced by older adults). Other health care professionals who work on a geriatrics team, such as nurses, pharmacists and physical therapists, may have advanced training and hold special certifications in geriatrics.
Geriatrics: The Team Approach
There are other trained health professionals who specialize in caring for older adults. In some situations, a team of health care professionals will work together in the medical evaluation of an older patient. The geriatrics team may include, in addition to the geriatrician, any or all of the following professionals:
Geriatrician
Nurse
Social worker
Nutritionist
Physical therapist
Occupational therapist
Consultant pharmacist
Geropsychiatrist
These specialists look at the person holistically. The team considers the person's medical history and present health condition. The team also looks for the effects of past illnesses, as well as "geriatric syndromes" - common health concerns found in the frail elderly such as incontinence, frequent falls, memory problems, and the side effects caused by multiple medications.
Members of the geriatrics team look at many aspects of the patient's life. They evaluate the social support available to a patient, usually a spouse, children or friends, and his or her living and community conditions. The team also considers the patient's ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), such as bathing, dressing and eating. While the geriatrician often serves as the "point person," each member of the geriatrics team is a skilled health professional. All play an important role in the proper assessment and care of an older patient.
Comfort Home
Home for Healthy Aging People
For Physically and mentally disabled elderly, who are not sick enough to be hospitalized but need constant assistance
Geriatric Nursing Home
To nurse bedridden and chronically and terminally ill patients
Geriatric Hospital
For senior citizens who are very sick needing treatment by medical specialists and proper nursing care
Geriatric Care
To Provide Comprehensive and Holistic Geriatric care in an Empathetic Environment to the elderly from all strata of the society and working with synergies of the society, caregivers and Inmates
WIKI Definition of Hospice Care
WIKI Defination of Adults Day Care Center