The concept of geriatrics refers to the specialization of the medicine focused on diseases of old age . This medical branch is dedicated to diagnose, treat, cure and prevent disorders that affect individuals in old age.
The geriatrics is linked to the gerontology which is the science Oriented to old age problems, whether economic, social, psychological or otherwise. In the specific case of geriatrics, it focuses on solving the problems of Health , especially in the hospital sector.
Usually geriatrics is oriented to patients over 65 , which is when the so-called third age begins, with risk of dependence and a pluripatology that includes a mental type disorder.
The purpose of geriatrics is for the patient to reach the highest possible level of independence and autonomy So you can have a self-sufficient life. It is pointed out that the old man can remain in his usual environment, living in his home.
The exercise of geriatrics usually takes place in hospitals and nursing homes. It can happen in services of urgency , in hospitalized patients or in outpatient consultations.
While the pediatricians they are dedicated to caring for children, geriatrics experts focus on the elderly. That's why they specialize in diseases and characteristic disorders of old age, such as osteoporosis, urinary incontinence and dementia. The correct care of the patient usually requires direct contact with his main caregiver and his family to achieve an accompaniment that helps to preserve mental and physical functionality and contributes to reducing the progress of the progressive deterioration of age.
Perhaps one of the similarities between pediatrics and geriatrics is the difficulty that many times entail dealing with patients: some children are too restless or easily impressed and do not allow doctors to do their job with ease; the elderly, on the other hand, can become very hostile With your therapists. In all cases, health professionals should never allow these whims to interfere with their work, but must place themselves above the situation.
In the field of geriatrics dozens of unfortunate stories of abuse to the elderly by medical and assistance staff. Since many patients have a very reduced or even zero mobility, they are in a state of almost absolute vulnerability, which results in many reprehensible actions. These cases stain the reputation of a branch of medicine that, in principle, is only intended to do good to a portion of society.
The cases of abuse that occur in geriatric centers are not their characteristic feature, although the media have made it almost impossible not to associate them. At this point fiction has also played a very important role: geriatrics are often presented as spaces in which therapists mistreat the elderly and they try to escape or avenge in some way; This can be shown both tragically and humorously, contributing to the negative image of these centers .
Another myth, so to speak, that revolves around geriatrics is that adults abandon their parents in geriatric hospitals when the latter reach old age to disregard them, so as not to have to take care of them. While there are many cases where this is true, geriatrics is in principle a complement in the care of the elderly , a service which helps children to care for their parents properly.
