Geriatrics - integration in the care network of Germany

In this paper, we first give an overview of the origins of geriatrics. We t hen give a description of the development of modern geriatrics in the Unite d States and Great Britain, based on the work of Nascher and Warren. Finall y, we give an account of the development of geriatrics in Germany. Clinical geriatrics, which first developed 20-30 years ago, has shown a high rate o f growth in the last few years. However, recently there has been a slowing down in this rate of growth - if not a complete halt or, indeed, a counter- movement. The reasons for this somewhat negative development in the past fi ve years are comprehensively discussed. In the last part of the paper, impr ovements which could be made in geriatrics are described, thus possibly ach ieving a uniform and self-assured provision of geriatric care in the future , in relation to four priority areas, with regard to outpatient and inpatie nt care. The first priority area is the care of geriatric patients at home and in nursing homes. To this end, geriatrics in priority areas will be pro moted. The second priority is the development of geriatrics in hospitals (a cute geriatrics departments and departments with rehabilitation as their fo cuses of activity). A third priority is geriatric rehabilitation clinics. F inally, we need a few geriatric centers in Germany (centers of excellence), geriatric departments with professorial positions and university clinics w ith geriatric departments in which geriatrics is taught and from which the impulse for research will be given.