title: Essential factors in the care of elderly patients.
abstract: With the increase in life expectancy since the turn of the century, all optometrists must have a good understanding of essential factors in the care of elderly patients. Some of the most important aspects of the clinical approach to and understanding of the elderly patient are considered here. Characteristic differences in symptomatology, the altered doctor-patient relationship, polypharmacy and compliance issues, and altered environmental needs are also described.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D009907:Optometry; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D014481:United States