[The specialty of geriatrics and geriatric education. Geriatrics and nursing home medicine; differences and similarities].

Modern definitions of geriatric medicine are based upon the central concept of homoiostasis. Starting from this concept, the goals, methods and provisions on behalf of geriatric patients in the Netherlands have been outlined. Likewise some arguments for the identity of the medicine of the nursing home are discussed. It is concluded, that medicine of the nursing home is basically the same as geriatric medicine, although there have grown differences as to the location where it is practiced. Assuming that the magnitude of geriatric problems will increase in the future for both disciplines, concerted action is recommended for geriatric medicine and medicine of the nursing home, specially regarding the proposed educations.