Historical Development of Gerontology and Geriatrics
Historical Development of Gerontology
Historical Development: For Aristotle, life is lost in old age by reducing internal heat; therefore, senescence is a progressive cooling. Old age was accepted if there was no disability. Moreover, Plato advocates Gerontocracy; the greater presence of elderly people in power during this period ensures care for the elderly. In Roman society, Cicero’s noteworthy work De Senectute proposes measures to retain strength at a much earlier age, including making healthy, proper exercise and increased attention to the soul and mind.
During the early Christian era, the practice of Christian charity established a continuum of care for the elderly destitute. In the Middle Ages, the elderly were excluded from public life; the father never retained authority in old age but was supplanted by the oldest son and often mistreated by their heirs. Charity remained for the elderly without family or those abandoned. In the Renaissance, Aurelio Anselmi’s noteworthy work Gerocomica explains the causes of aging and ways to act professionally by delaying the onset of signs and senile diseases that usually occur in old age. It includes three areas of knowledge in thinking and actions that support the social and professional face of old age.
During the Counter-Reformation, two religious communities stood out for their work with the elderly: the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of Saint John of God. With the Industrial Revolution, favorable demographic changes occurred (reduction of child mortality, increased life expectancy, and the number of elderly). In the scientific field, interest in age and professional care increased, although care homes continued to dispense care under charitable approaches; some of these nursing homes were annexed to hospitals.
Causes of the Rise of Geriatrics and Gerontology
- Socioeconomic pressure
- Demographic pleas
- Scientific pleas
Protection Systems
In a country with an aging population, such as Spain, the robustness of protection systems for the elderly is important. These systems must take into account the social situation of the country.
The most important factors are:
- Maintenance of resources after retirement
- Family distribution by gender
- Marital status
- Educational level
- Type of geographic area
- Housing
- Entertainment
- Level of health
Trends in Gerontological and Geriatric Services:
- Keeping people in their environment whenever possible.
- Maintaining the autonomy of the elderly and their ability to decide about their lives.
- Strengthening the capacities for resource utilization.
Objectives of Service Protection Systems:
- Assess the needs of the elderly in their sector.
- Mobilizing resources to keep the family in the community and the largest number of people with a decent quality of life.
- Orienting the economic resources of the elderly to better their impact on quality of life.
- Provide comprehensive assistance to elderly and chronically invalid individuals, marking priorities: continuing care, home day stay, assisted residence.
- Multidisciplinary teaching and continuing education.
Current Care of the Elderly
Nurses have a responsibility to respond to most of the existential needs presented by the elderly. Along with other professionals, they determine the nature of care and develop relevant activities to respond adequately to the needs and demands that elders present. It is necessary to mobilize resources, from political projects to general health staff who have direct contact, to optimize the quality of care.