Some problems of modern gerontology and geriatrics in the Russian federation: From the point of view of a clinical physician

• Published in: Advances in gerontology Vol. 3; no. 1; pp. 1 - 6
• Main Author: Myakotnykh, V. S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht SP MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica 2013; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Geriatrics; Geriatrics/Gerontology; Gerontology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; geriatrics; gerontology; modernity; transformations; problems
• ISSN: 2079-0570; 2079-0589
• DOI: 10.1134/S2079057013010098

The suggested paper presents some problems of modern Russian gerontology and geriatrics from the standpoint of a clinical physician who has a long-term experience working in this field. The educational, scientific, and practical aspects of gerontology and stereotypes of understanding the problems of elderly people that were formed over many years and decades, but do not fit modern reality at all, are subjected to some criticism. It has been suggested that the ideology of the major fields of gerontology has been transformed by assigning primary importance to the ideas of improving the quality of life, preventing and treating many age-associated diseases, and overcoming the established attitudes toward elderly and senile individuals as dependent persons who require constant aid, rather than the idea of prolonging life and taking measures to care for difficult patients. The author urges public health authorities to revise the standards of geriatric aid under polyclinic and hospital conditions that have existed for many years and do not meet the modern requirements, as well as to make the potential and achievements of gerontology more understandable and respected.