Silbert M V
S Afr Med J. 1981 Feb 28;59(9):294-6.
Family doctors have substantially contributed to extending life expectancy beyond the biblical allocation of three score years and ten, and, ironically, we may now find ourselves having to cope with problems in the aged for which our training has not adequately equipped us. The topic of mental disorders in the aged provides for discussion of various relevant issues in geriatric care such as diagnostic problems and difficulties (seen not only in their psychiatric context, but also in their medical and social contexts); difficulties in management; the significance of losses sustained in later life, both within the context of the family and in other support systems; the general practitioner's role in management; and, finally, the attitude of the doctor toward the aged.
家庭医生为将预期寿命延长至超出圣经所说的七十岁做出了巨大贡献。具有讽刺意味的是，我们现在可能发现自己不得不应对老年人的各种问题，而我们所接受的培训并未使我们充分具备应对这些问题的能力。老年人精神障碍这一主题为讨论老年护理中的各种相关问题提供了契机，这些问题包括诊断问题与困难（不仅体现在精神科背景下，还体现在医疗和社会背景中）；管理方面的困难；晚年在家庭及其他支持系统中所遭受损失的意义；全科医生在管理中的作用；以及最后，医生对老年人的态度。
