Wicht C L
S Afr Med J. 1977 Mar 26;51(13):440-2.
Noteworthy factors in geriatric care, derived from experience in a geriatric clinic, are that symptoms are often wrongly attributed to the ageing process; the aged are often overtreated and subjected to unnecessary diagnostic procedures; and functional abilities of the elderly and social factors are important in planning comprehensive care for the aged. To render total care the services of a visiting sister attached to the clinic are an absolute necessity. The elderly are often prematurely discharged from hospital. The combination of multiple pathology, functional derangement and social factors necessitates a period of aftercare which entails physiotherapy, occupational therapy and the services of a social worker. Medical students, nurses, students in social work, psysiotherapists, and occupational therapists should be enlightened on gerontology and geriatrics during their undergraduate years.
症状常常被错误地归因于衰老过程；老年人常常接受过度治疗并接受不必要的诊断程序；老年人的功能能力和社会因素在规划老年人的全面护理中很重要。为了提供全面护理，配备一名驻诊所的访视护士的服务是绝对必要的。老年人常常过早出院。多种病理状况、功能紊乱和社会因素的综合需要一段后期护理，这需要物理治疗、职业治疗以及社会工作者的服务。医学生、护士、社会工作专业学生、物理治疗师和职业治疗师在本科阶段就应该接受老年学和老年病学方面的教育。
