GC: n

S: MD – http://www.medscape.com/resource/geriatric (last access: 3 September 2014); MM – http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/geriatrics (last access: 25 July 2015).

N: 1. coined 1909 by Austrian-born doctor Ignatz L. Nascher (1863-1944) in “New York Medical Journal” on the model of pediatrics (also see -ics), from the same elements found in geriatric (q.v.). The correct formation would be gerontiatrics.
2. Geriatrics refers to medical care for the elderly, an age group that is not easy to define precisely. “Older people” is sometimes preferred but is equally imprecise; > 65 is the age often used. Gerontology is the study of aging, including biologic, sociologic, and psychologic changes.
3. Around 1900 in the US, people > 65 accounted for 4% of the population; now, they account for > 13% (40 million, with a net gain of10,000/day). In 2026, when post–World War II baby boomers begin to reach age 80, estimates suggest that > 20% (almost 80 million) will be > 65. Mean age of those > 65 is now a little more than 75, and the proportion of those > 85 is predicted to increase most rapidly.
4. Life expectancy is an additional 17 yr at age 65 and 10 yr at age 75 for men and an additional 20 yr at age 65 and 13 yr at age 75 for women. Overall, women live about 5 yr longer than men, probably because of genetic, biologic, and environmental factors. These differences in survival have changed little, despite changes in women’s lifestyle (eg, increased smoking, increased stress).
S: 1. OED – http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=geriatrics&searchmode=none (last access: 3 September 2014). 2-4. MM – http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/geriatrics/approach-to-the-geriatric-patient/introduction-to-geriatrics (last access: 25 July 2015).

SYN:
S:

CR: ageism, gerontology, gerontophobia.