Geriatrics; Typical Presentation of Health Problems and Management: A Review

Abstract

Geriatrics or Geriatric medicine is a specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people. The cycle of nature ie. childhood, adolescence, adulthood and maturity phases are inevitable for each and every one on the earth. Though each stage has its own sets of responsibilities and problems, with the advancement of age gradually a complicated sets of problems arise. When compared to younger adults, older people have different patterns of disease presentation as some changes occur as a result of ageing. Older people may react differently to drugs due to their multiple health problems. Due to the physical changes of ageing process and multiple illnesses, the presentation of a particular health problem in older people is complicated. Increased morbidity and mortality are seen in many cases as a result of missed diagnosis or ignorance. Geriatric care management combines health care and psychological care. Other needed services including housing, nutritional services, assistance with activities of daily living are also included in Geriatric care management. Evaluation of an elderly person needs more time, patience and care than a standard medical evaluation. Early detection of problems is helpful in early intervention which results in the prevention of further deterioration. In this study an attempt is made starting from the effort to give a concept about the geriatric group of people, common health issues along with their atypical presentation, special approach to their problems including assessment parameters and finally ways for their solution in the form of management are reviewed in this article.