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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:
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