Ávila FFM

Language: Spanish
References: 9
Page: 49-54
PDF size: 192.80 Kb.

ABSTRACT

Geriatric Medicine is dedicated to the care of the elderly patient, dealing with preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitatory and palliative issues. It integrates social and family matters and it provides elements to treat the elderly in various stages of disease: acute, sub-acute and chronic. Its main objective is to preserve the elderly’s autonomy using tools that make possible to integrate and understand high prevalence, high disability and high dependency disease. Facing a horizon dominated by chronic disease, Geriatrics propose better and more efficient ways of handling disease, designing progressive care models that promote multidisciplinary team approach and full participation of family and society. Modern Geriatrics was born in Europe in early 20^th century; it becomes relevant in Mexico in the 1980s, when major academic and clinical institutions, such as the Instituto Politécnico Nacional and the Hospital General de México became interested in the care of the elderly. Finally, the Institute of Geriatrics of the Ministry of Health was created on July 28^th, 2008. Understanding the various ways of getting old (and the role played in this process by genetic, environmental and biological factors, and the influence habits and disease have), we can identify several types of aging such as ideal, active, usual and pathological. Caring for the elderly demands the participation of society as a whole. The Institute of Geriatrics will contribute by means of generating new knowledge, preparing high quality professionals and spreading a culture in favor of the elderly.

REFERENCES

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