The Value of Geriatric Interventions

Abstract

For vulnerable elderly patients, hospitalization can be hazardous.¹³ Too often their treatment is complicated by delirium, depression, adverse drug reactions, poor nutrition, and loss of precious physical strength. Too often their pneumonia is cured or their hip fractures repaired, but they never regain the independence they once had. Over the past 15 years, programs in geriatrics have developed at most American medical centers and a prime clinical mission has been to achieve better results for hospitalized, high-risk elderly patients. There are two main strategies. One is to admit older patients at risk to a specialized unit for acute or . . .