Some lessons learned in the care of the elderly

This article is designed to acquaint physicians not trained in geriatrics with some precepts concerning the care of the elderly. It presents a summary of the experience in the care of over 2,000 outpatients over the age of 65 who were seen at a community hospital geriatric evaluation unit and resource center. The findings reaffirmed the importance of concentrating on the preservation and restoration of function in the care of the frail elderly. Although there are no clinical skills unique to geriatrics, but the approach to the gathering of clinical data in people with multiple and overlapping problems and disabilities must be structured differently. There is less emphasis on precise diagnosis, much less emphasis on the concept of cure, and more emphasis on structuring a medical/social response to the dominant problem or problems.