Geriatrics, or geriatric medicine, is a specialty that focuses on health care of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing and treating diseases and disabilities in older adults. Geriatrics refers to medical care for older adults, an age group that is not easy to define precisely. “Older” is preferred over "elderly," but both are equally imprecise; > 65 is the age often used, but most people do not need geriatrics expertise in their care until age 70, 75, or even 80. The branch of medicine concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease in older people and the problems specific to aging. From the Greek "geron" meaning "old man" + "iatreia" meaning "the treatment of disease." Old age is a sensitive phase; elderly people need care and comfort to lead a healthy life without worries and anxiety. Lack of awareness regarding the changing behavioral patterns in elderly people at home leads to abuse of them by their kin.
