The relationship between aging and disease: geriatric ideology and myths of senility.
An ongoing debate in gerontology concerns the relationship between aging and disease. Goodwin, as part of a discussion on the importance of geriatric ideology, argues that age-related disorders like senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type (SDAT) should be regarded as an aging process, while others suggest it is more appropriate to consider it as a disease. This paper comments on the arguments presented by Goodwin and develops these by providing a review of the underlying assumptions concerning aging and disease. The policy relevance and implications for future research are also outlined.
Forbes
W F
WF
Department of Health Studies and Gerontology, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Hirdes
J P
JP
D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002423:Cause of Death; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005544:Forecasting; D005853:Geriatrics; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D009026:Mortality; D009229:Mythology; D010686:Philosophy, Medical; D015995:Prevalence; D012106:Research