1 IntroductiontoGeriatricsVolker.pdf

Geriatrics Gerontology – The study of aging Geriatrics – The study of health and practice of medicine within gerontology Terminology – – – – Elderly? Elder? Senior? Old(er) person? Older Adult* 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 1 Older terms, on the way out Geriatric Young old Middle old Old...

Geriatrics Gerontology – The study of aging Geriatrics – The study of health and practice of medicine within gerontology Terminology – – – – Elderly? Elder? Senior? Old(er) person? Older Adult* 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 1 Older terms, on the way out Geriatric Young old Middle old Old old Centenarian ≥ 65 65-74 75-84 ≥85 ≥100 Associated Press “Anyone can get old. All you have to do is live long enough.” --Groucho Marx Comedian, Actor 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 2 Why Geriatrics? Patients 65 years and older comprise: – 29% Primary Care visits – 32% Surgery – 44% Emergency Department visits – 43% Specialist consultations – 48% Hospitalizations 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 3 Life Expectancy at Birth 80 Age 60 40 20 In the US, all genders and races, Data from CDC 0 1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2020 Year 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 4 Mortality in the US Heart disease Cancer COPD and other pulmonary disease Stroke Alzheimer’s Disease Diabetes Mellitus Renal disease, injuries, pneumonia 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 5 Geriatric care is just normal adult care, on older patients Same diseases you are used to treating in younger patients Holistic, biopsychosocial approach (OPP) Assessment and plan are based on proficient history and physical 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 6 Geriatric care is NOT just normal adult care, on older patients Often multiple chronic diseases present concomitantly Diminished “health literacy” There may be little evidence-based treatment Encounters may be lengthy Typical presenting symptoms are often absent or blunted in the older patient Emphasis is on control and secondary/tertiary prevention, not cure Your patient will end up dying on you 27 March 2024 Volker Intro to Geriatrics 7