The medical specialty concerned with care of the elderly. Elderly people require specialist medical treatment because they respond differently from younger people to illness and its treatment. Physical and mental decline due to aging can mean that illnesses are more severe in older people. Because the liver becomes less efficient with age, drug dosages for elderly people need to be carefully controlled to avoid dangerous side effects. Geriatricians also help older people to cope with everyday life following illness or injury. (See also rehabilitation.)
Geriatric medicine |
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