geriatric
jerry-AT-rik
/ˌdʒɛriˈætrɪk/
Relating to the healthcare and treatment of elderly people.
Strictly a medical term, but sometimes used informally (and rudely) to describe anything old or broken down.
The story behind the word. Coined in 1909 by Dr. Ignatz Nascher, who realized that the elderly needed a specialized field of medicine just as children had 'pediatrics'.
Word relationships
- senile: 'Senile' refers specifically to mental decline; 'geriatric' refers to the general medical care of the elderly.
- pediatric: Relating to the medical care of children.
Commonly confused with
- senescence: 'Senescence' is the biological process of aging; 'geriatric' is the medical field that treats it.
Word family
- geriatrics (noun): The branch of medicine or social science dealing with the health and care of old people.
Collocations
- geriatric medicine
- geriatric patient
- geriatric care
Example sentences
- "The hospital opened a new geriatric ward to better serve the aging population." Medicine
- "Geriatric care requires a multidisciplinary approach involving doctors, social workers, and nutritionists." Social Policy
Memory hook
Geriatric... Jerry is an old man (at) the clinic. Medical care for the aged.
When not to use
Avoid using it as a slang term for 'old' in polite company, as it can sound clinical or derogatory.
Fun facts
- Ignatz Nascher, the father of geriatrics, was inspired by the way doctors treated children differently than adults and argued the elderly deserved the same consideration.
Related words
Explore more words
superannuated, dilapidated, boomer, antiquated, veneration, degenerative
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