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Geriatric Epidemiology

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Ethical Considerations and Challenges in Geriatrics

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Abstract

With declines in fertility and increases in longevity, the population is aging and this trend is expected to continue throughout the next several decades. The geriatric cohort is also more ethnically, racially, and socially diverse than anytime in history. As a result of the number and diversity elders, there will be significant medical and social challenges which much be addressed in order to provide optimal care for the geriatric population. Medical challenges include increasing numbers of patients living with one or more chronic conditions, polypharmacy, skyrocketing rates of dementia, and increasing reliance on surrogate decision-makers at the end of life. Socially, assessing health literacy and adjusting plans of care accordingly, optimizing living arrangements, and working to reduce poverty will be critical to improving the health and quality of life of elders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, TX, USA

    Angela G. Catic MD

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  1. Angela G. Catic MD
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Correspondence to Angela G. Catic MD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine Section of Geriatrics, Baylor College of Medicine and Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Angela Georgia Catic

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Catic, A.G. (2017). Geriatric Epidemiology. In: Catic, A. (eds) Ethical Considerations and Challenges in Geriatrics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44084-2_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-44084-2_1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-44083-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-44084-2

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