title: The relevance of Marjory Warren's writings today.
abstract: Marjory Warren was one of the initial geriatricians in the United Kingdom. She established specialized geriatric units, held important administrative positions, and wrote influential papers where she argued for the need of the specialty of geriatric medicine and outlined principles for inpatient care of older adults with chronic illness. We compare and contrast Warren's early papers describing these principles with contemporary models for improving inpatient care of older adults and the need for the specialty of geriatrics. Warren's writings on the inpatient care of older adults presage the principles of both Hospital Elder Life Programs and Acute Care of the Elderly units. The importance of multidisciplinary teams, the physical environment, attention to diverse issues (medical, social, functional), early ambulation, and the active involvement of the older person in their daily routine are present in Warren's writings and in contemporary approaches. Warren's arguments for both the specialty of geriatric medicine and increased training of nonspecialist physicians and other health professionals are remarkably similar to those made in a recent Institute of Medicine report. Across time and place, there has been consistency in the general principles perceived as required for the effective cares of older persons, but challenges persist in implementing and sustaining them.
authors.affiliation: *Address correspondence to Philip St. John, FRCPC, Section of Geriatrics, University of Manitoba, GE 547 Health Sciences Centre, 820 Sherbrook Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3A 1R9. E-mail: pstjohn@hsc.mb.ca.
authors.forename: Philip D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: St John
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Hogan
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000266:history*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom; D014956:Writing
keywords: Comprehensive geriatric assessment; Geriatric medicine; History; Marjory Warren