Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology, Vol 25, Issue 1 24-32, Copyright © 1997 by Society of Nuclear Medicine
Caring for the older patient, Part I: The relationship of theory to practice
SB Dowd, AM Steves and D Durick
Division of Medical Imaging and Therapy, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-1270, USA.
This is the first article of a four-part series on gerontology and its
applications to the care of elderly patients in nuclear medicine. The
series includes discussions about the theories of aging, approaches to
meeting the special needs of the elderly and ethical dilemmas in caring for
the elderly. It also reviews anatomical and physiological changes
associated with aging and the role of nuclear medicine studies in caring
for the elderly. Upon completion of this article, the reader should be able
to: (a) describe the aging U.S. population by citing demographic data; (b)
identify the theories of aging and distinguish their major characteristics;
(c) differentiate a gerontologic approach from a geriatric approach in
caring for the elderly; and (d) recognize factors important to the delivery
of effective care for the elderly.
