Author/Editor     Šabovič, Mišo
Title     Novi internistični pristopi v geriatriji
Translated title     New internal medicine approaches in the managemnt of geriatric patients
Type     članek
Source     In: Velikonja I, editor. Zdravstveni, pravni in socialni vidiki obravnave oseb z demenco. Zbornik predavanj 4. psihogeriatrično srečanje; 2005 mar 31-apr 1; Lipica. Ljubljana: Spominčica - Slovensko združenje za pomoč pri demenci,
Publication year     2005
Volume     str. 138-50
Language     slo
Abstract     The population is progressively ageing. Physicians should be aware of the fact that appropriate medical management of the elderly is quite specific. The basic principle of the modern geriatric medicine is a comprehensive and complex approach that includes concomitant management of disorders, geriatric syndromes and functional (dis)ability. The three parameters are tightly connected: the disturbance in one field results in the disturbance in the other two and in further deterioration of general condition. This phenomenon is called the domino syndrome. In order to prevent it, weak links in the disorders - geriatric syndromes - functional (dis)ability chain could be strengthened by using the "comprehensive geriatric assessment" (CGA). This recently introduced systematic approach renders possible an adequate an accurate assessment of medical condition of the elderly, identification of disorders and geriatric symptoms, and evaluation of patients' functional status. Physician's attention is focused on nine important problem areas regarding the elderly. Three of them: psychotropic medication, cognitive functioning, and mental status fall in the domain of psychiatry. The aim of the modern geriatric approach is to achieve the so called "successful ageing" that is characterised by only slight to moderate decrease of functional ability.
Descriptors     GERIATRICS
AGING
CHRONIC DISEASE
GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT
GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
AGED