Essential Principles in the Care of the Elderly

doi:10.1017/9781108942751.001

Chapter 1 - Essential Principles in the Care of the Elderly

from Section I - General Approach to the Care of the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022

Jan Busby-Whitehead ,

Samuel C. Durso and

William Reichel

Edited by

Jan Busby-Whitehead ,

Mary H. Palmer and

Jan Busby-Whitehead: Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso: Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson: Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon: Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer: Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel: Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center

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Summary

The core principle that should guide any health professional caring for older adults and their families is that the “secret of caring for the patient is in caring for the patient” (Peabody). Practitioners must understand the most up-to-date biomedical and psychosocial aspects of aging, health, wellness, and disease, and strive to support the older adult to remain as active, functional, and engaged as possible. At the same time, practitioners must recognize and help patients and families understand when a palliative approach will be most effective at meeting their goals. The Choosing Wisely campaign launched by the American Board of Internal Medicine provides targeted guidance to clinicians to provide care that is effective and efficient, consistent with the essential principles. Also, the 4Ms (what Matters, Medication, Mentation, and Mobility) proposed by The John A. Hartford Foundation and Institute for Healthcare Improvement provide a framework for an Age-Friendly Health System through which practitioners can deliver optimal care for older adults.

Keywords

principles of geriatrics gerontology biopsychosocial model Choosing Wisely 4Ms

Type: Chapter
Information: Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
, pp. 1 - 11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108942751.001 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2022

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Chapter 1 - Essential Principles in the Care of the Elderly

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