Geriatric. when is that?

[yorky15]

I heard a discussion on tv re geriatrics. I know that it refers to the elderly but when does one become a geriatric? is there a set age or a medical diagnosis?

[skinz]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/geriatric

[Allen]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/geriatric

 

That link doesn't give a clear definition....often just saying old age.

 

Personally I think it's a disgusting word to use anyway.

[skinz]

That link doesn't give a clear definition....often just saying old age.

 

Then define it.

 

Personally I think it's a disgusting word to use anyway.

 

 

Only if you use it in a "disgusting" manner. It's a clinical term, how can it be disgusting?

[Allen]

Maybe because I've heard it used in a disgusting manner more often than clinically.

Much the same as spastic...

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spastic.

However, the word began to be used as an insult and became a term of abuse used to imply stupidity or physical ineptness: one who is uncoordinated or incompetent, or a fool.[3] It was often colloquially abbreviated to shorter forms such as "spaz".

[muddycoffee]

It could be thought of as insulting to directly refer to a group of people as Geriatrics. However conditions relating to old age can correctly be termed geriatric and a doctor who specialises in this field can be called a geriatrician.

 

So basically "Geriatric" is when elderly people are affected with age related brain conditions such as dementia and physical infirmity conditions which prevent them from living independently.

[Daven]

'Elderly care' is more commonly used now in hospitals.

[Super Hans]

And it won't be long before 'Elderly care' is considered offensive, just like spastic and geriatric.

[Daven]

And it won't be long before 'Elderly care' is considered offensive, just like spastic and geriatric.

 

How so ? .

[tinfoilhat]

'Elderly care' is more commonly used now in hospitals.

 

In my experience "elderly" and "care" don't get used together very often in hospitals.