Geriatrics: Old age and its management

The definition of old age varies in indifferent zones of the worldwith respect to the cutoff age or the age of onset of old age. Arbitrarily the attainment of the age of 65 years is said to be the knocking point of old age, but the health status of all old people is always influenced by physical and emotional stress. As a general criterion , all people above the age of 75 fall in the category of old. Generally doing all the duties of personal cleanliness and comfort, unassisted is a challenge for some old people. Since 1950 Geriatric medicine has been recognized as a specialty of medicine which focuses on the healthcare of aged citizens. Geriatricians are better trained in the care of elderly patients than the general physicians. The old generally suffer from incapacitating illness. Very few hospitals have special wards for old and the specialty of geriatrics. Many people suffer a decline in their metabolic and immune functions when they get old. The health authorities of all the countries should have comprehensive policy for the care of old people. Our cultural traditions include the respect for parents and the old. The fifth commandment directs, "to honour thy father and mother". The specialized agencies of the U.N. (including I.L.O., F.A.O., U.N.E.S.C.O. and W.H.O.) and many non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been doing their best for the general care and medicinal needs of the elderly. NGOs should focus their attention on the vital sectors like personal hygiene, food, optimal clothing, exercise and entertainment in an effort to provide quality life to the inmates of old age homes. The elderly people need our special attention as we do in case of children. There is a need for integration of the specialty of geriatrics with other medical and paramedical services in order to provide appropriate medical expertise to elderly patients.