Final answer:
It is true that elderly patients are called geriatric patients. Dr. Ignatz Nascher established geriatrics as a medical specialty focused on elderly care by combining Greek words implying 'old man' and 'medical treatment'. The field acknowledges specific healthcare needs for the elderly, distinct from general adult care.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, elderly patients are indeed referred to as geriatric patients. This medical speciality, focusing on the elderly, was established in the early 20th century by a New York physician named Dr. Ignatz Nascher. He introduced the term geriatrics, merging the Greek words geron (old man) and iatricos (medical treatment), to address the distinct medical needs of older adults. Prior to this, elderly people were often dismissed simply as being 'old,' without proper medical consideration for their specific health issues. Nascher's comparison to pediatrics—the medical care of children—highlights the distinct considerations necessary in geriatric medicine. He advocated a different approach to the treatment and care of the elderly, emphasizing a doctor’s duty to prolong life and relieve suffering, counter to the dismissive view of his time which considered old age an untreatable condition.
Furthermore, issues such as lifestyle, finances, demographics, and population trends can greatly impact the approach toward caring for the elderly. As noted by the American Geriatric Society, with the aging of the Baby Boomer generation, there is a forecasted increase in demand for geriatric specialists, emphasizing the importance of this field in the coming years.