Geriatric Medicine: History of a Young Specialty

Abstract

The fascination of Medicine lies in its basic qualities-its wide social and humanitarian aspects, its progressive nature and its variety. Of all branches of Medicine, that of treatment of the chronic elderly sick has received, so far, less attention than others and consequently offers the widest scope for pioneer work and research.-Marjory W. Warren, 1948 [1] While devoted to the care of elderly patients, the specialty of geriatric medicine is itself young. The field was named, professional societies formed, and specialized training programs certified all during the twentieth century. Competencies required for geriatrics in medical education were developed early in the twenty-first century. Geriatric medicine joins the group of medical specialties that are defined by stages of human development (such as pediatrics, neonatology, and adolescent medicine), rather than by organ system (cardiology, neurology, and gastroenterology).

Concurrent Care as the Next Frontier in End-of-Life Care

“…14 The epidemiologic landscape changed in the early to mid-20th century as many more people lived into old age, driven by improving economic and work conditions and widespread adoption of advances in medicine, including anesthesia, improved surgical techniques, and antibiotics. 15 During the latter half of the 20th century, the field of geriatrics was formalized, chronic care management developed, and dementia became increasingly common. Before this time, people who were dying were cared for at home by family, lived in poorhouses (to use the language of the time), or were…”

Regimen of elders in Kitāb al-Dhakhīra fī ʿIlm al-Ṭibb by Thābit b. Qurra

“…Geriatric medicine was introduced by Ignatz Nascher in 1909 with the term geriatrics for elderly care. Although it is a young specialty, information about old age and the related diseases has existed since ancient times (1). Information about aging and diseases among the elderly can be found in some aphorisms in sections I, II, III, VI, and VII of the Hippocrates' (460-370 BC) Aphorisms (2,3).…”