Geriatrics
- Edward L. Schneider, MD;
- Robert N. Butler, MD
Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text.
Excerpt
This first article on geriatrics in CONTEMPO will explore two major issues: the need for specialized knowledge related to care of the older patient and the need for a separate discipline, geriatrics. Interest in the first issue reflects recognition of a major demographic shift that has occurred in the United States during this century, specifically, the dramatic increase in the percent of the population older than 65 years, from 4% in 1900 to 11% today.1 In absolute numbers, this increase has been from 3 million to 25 million.1 These citizens receive more than $45 billion yearly in health care benefits.1 Costs of nursing-home care have risen from $4.7 billion to $21.6 billion in the last decade.2 If the trend continues, this expense will approach $76 billion by 1990.2
This country has been woefully unprepared, both socially and medically, for this demographic change. In a 1976
