[Integrated geriatric care].

Geriatrics has a long tradition in Germany. The current demographic trend towards an increasing number of older people with multiple chronic health problems requires a change, i.e., adaptation to the needs of older patients in all areas of our health care system. This work focuses on the following key issues: training and continuing education, changes in disease processes in old age, and necessary structural changes. The existing problems will be identified based on examples and subsequently discussed.