geriatry

Definition

Noun (medicine):
- The branch of medicine dealing with the health and care of elderly people: "geriatry" is the medical specialty focused on the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases and conditions associated with aging.

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

Clinical geriatry: The application of geriatric principles in hospital or clinic settings.
- Clinical geriatry often involves multidisciplinary teams to address complex health needs. (Practical care for elderly patients.)
Preventive geriatry: Efforts to delay or prevent age-related diseases.
- Preventive geriatry includes regular screenings and lifestyle advice for older adults. (Proactive health measures for seniors.)

Variants and Related Words

Geriatric (adjective): relating to old age or the care of elderly people.
- The hospital has a geriatric ward for patients over 75. (A department specializing in elderly care.)
Geriatrician (noun): a doctor who specializes in geriatrics.
- A geriatrician can help manage multiple medications for older patients. (A physician expert in elderly health.)
Gerontology (noun): the scientific study of the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging (broader than geriatry).
- Gerontology explores why we age, not just how to treat age-related diseases. (Academic study of aging.)

Synonyms

Geriatrics: the medical specialty of old age (more common synonym for geriatry).
Elder care: the general care and support of elderly individuals (less medical, more social).

Related Idioms

The graying population: a metaphor for the increasing number of elderly people in a society.
- The graying population is driving demand for geriatry services. (The rising elderly demographic.)

Note

"Geriatry" is a less common term than "geriatrics" or "geriatric medicine." It is sometimes used interchangeably with "gerontology," but strictly, geriatry is the medical practice, while gerontology is the broader scientific study of aging.