Aging has not received attention in proportion to its effect on the life of every individual. Much of society's reluctance to deal with old age results from "ageism," a personal and cultural dread that stems from a view of aging that sees only the negative aspects. If we are to understand human development, we must learn about its outcome, old age. One means of doing this to listen to the reminiscences of old people. Psychiatrists can apply their special expertise in working to overcome ageism. Current and future legislative and research efforts can help identify and resolve some of the economic and physical problems of the elderly and thereby improve the quality of their lives.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1978

Aging: a challenge to medicine.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Aged↗

PubMed1977

Mission of the National Institute on Aging.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA), the newest of the eleven National Institutes of Health, is dedicated to improving the quality of life of the old in America through biomedical, social, and behavioral research. Aging is reviewed as more than just decline and deterioration; it is also a process of continued development and accumulated knowledge. The NIA will encourage innovative research, but will not support the delivery of health services, as that is the domain of other agencies. In areas of overlap, such as diseases common to the old, the NIA will collaborate with other Institutes. A good target area for collaboration is senile dementia. Other areas of interest to the NIA are: encouraging the incorporation of geriatric medicine as a subspecialty, developing retirement test patterns, and investigating drug-drug and drug-age interactions, personality and social processes, and immunocompetence.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1977

Colonoscopy and bacteraemia.

A prospective study was performed on 35 patients undergoing colonoscopy. Aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures before, during and after the investigation failed to demonstrate bacteraemia in any instance.

Australia↗

PubMed1977