Pientka L
Medizinisch-Geriatrische Klinik, Augusta-Krankenanstalt, Bochum.
Ther Umsch. 1997 Jun;54(6):298-302.
The improvements in life expectancy have resulted in an increasing number of people at older ages with specific medical problems. The "epidemiologic transition" from acute to chronic diseases makes it imperative to change the focus from the treatment of different acute diseases to a broader approach. As a greater proportion of the population survives to very old ages, the public health impact of the burden of disease and disability and related utilization of medical care and need for supportive and long-term care has become an important concern. This requires a specific approach emphasizing the functional well-being of older persons. Recent studies have shown that age and frailty are no synonyms and even a greater proportion of the oldest old have a potential for improving. Therefore, it is necessary to address this perspective in the medical care of elderly people.
预期寿命的提高导致老年人群中患有特定医疗问题的人数不断增加。从急性病到慢性病的“流行病学转变”使得必须将重点从治疗各种急性病转向更广泛的方法。随着越来越多的人活到高龄，疾病和残疾负担以及相关医疗保健利用以及对支持性和长期护理的需求对公共卫生的影响已成为一个重要问题。这需要一种强调老年人功能健康的特定方法。最近的研究表明，年龄和虚弱并非同义词，甚至很大一部分最年长的老人也有改善的潜力。因此，有必要在老年人的医疗保健中考虑这一观点。
