title: General concepts of geriatric medicine.
abstract: To ensure the maximum quality of life for the elderly, practitioners must be precise in their evaluations. Physiologic aging decreases the reserve of the geriatric patient, making him or her more susceptible to the stress associated with illness, drugs, and surgery. Medications must be prescribed in reduced dosages to compensate for altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in the elderly. Musculoskeletal problems, cardiovascular diseases, malignancies, and visual and hearing impairments are seen frequently in this population. Cognitive failure, depression, gait instability and falling, and urinary incontinence may be caused by acute or chronic problems. A comprehensive assessment directed at medical, mental, social, and functional status problems is imperative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D010601:Pharmacology, Clinical