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Chapter in Geriatric Medicine
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European Manual of Internal Medicine
GERIATRIC MEDICINE
This chapter was written by:
dr R. G. Smith, United Kingdom
dr Görel Wachtmeister, Sweden
dr P. Schwed, Switzerland
and edited by:
prof. dr S.A. Duursma, the Netherlands
on behalf of the:
Geriatric Medicine Section of the
European Union of Medical Specialists
Date: Januari 2001
Number of pages: 44
Download: The complete text in PDF format
Extract:
1. INTRODUCTION
- Caring for older people has developed as a separate specialty over the years. This has tended to occur because of ageism and inequality in provision of services for the older person compared with younger people, e.g. upper age limit on coronary care units. Older people are entitled to the full services of the health service and in some cases have better outcomes e.g. thrombolysis in myocardial infarction.
- History taking from the older person can be difficult especially if there is cognitive impairment. Substantiating the history from a relative or carer is often helpful if not mandatory in some instances.
- For the older person it is important to look at the whole person with care being given to address the medical, social and psychological needs of the person. The use of simple assessments for cognitive state and premorbid function is important. The older person will almost certainly have more than one diagnosis and care should be taken not to make the mistake of fitting all signs and symptoms into the one diagnosis.
- Quality of life may be more important for an older person than quantity. Overtreatment and inappropriate treatment and investigation should be avoided.
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Last modified: 2009-01-14
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