[General medical problems in the elderly]

Aging is a physiological process and not a disorder. Disturbances of organ functions are due to additional pathological events. The particular problems in the medical care of the aged are related to compromised adaptability of the single organ systems to exogenous hazards or endogenous disturbances, as well to the frequent typical multimorbidity. The physician's care of the elderly patient cannot be limited to the diagnosis of an organ disorder, as in younger patients, but has to pursue an anthropological approach. Pharmacotherapy in the aged patient demands specific knowledge, experience, and careful supervision.