Geriatrics is the branch of medical science that deals with prevention and cure of diseases in elderly people.

The physicians practicing geriatrics are called geriatricians. They are basically primary care doctors who have specialization in internal medicine or family practice. Specialized geriatrics includes orthogeriatrics focusing mainly on orthopedic surgery, psycho geriatrics focusing on depression and other such common problems of old age.

The biggest issue involving elderly people is prevention and treatment of delirium. This is typical condition when the hospitalized aged patients become perplexed and unsettled in the chaos and mayhem of a stay at the hospital. This can not only complicate their already deteriorating condition but can also lead to fresh disorders.

Both physiological as well as psychological aspects of aging have to be kept in mind while dealing with medication, treatments and overall care of the elderly patients. The physical constraints are due to change in gastrointestinal system, oral and esophageal changes etc. The above-mentioned problems are specially highlighted since with increase in age the drug absorption power of intestines decreases considerably.

Another primary consideration is the fact that elderly people often suffer from memory losses and thus are unable to adhere to their medication program. Thus monitoring their progress becomes very difficult and development in this area is being carried out.