Health

Clarifying the Language: 'Geriatrics,' 'Gerontology'

Listen to Dr. Allman's discussion:

"Gerontology" and "geriatrics" are fairly new terms in the American vocabulary. But while they're sometimes used interchangeably, they refer to different areas of expertise, says Richard Allman, M.D., director of the UAB Center for Aging:

"A gerontologist is someone who's committed to understanding age-related change. Typically, the word refers to someone who's doing research in the medical field of aging.

"By contrast, a geriatrician, or geriatric practitioner, is someone who should know a lot about the subject of age-related change, but who uses that knowledge to diagnose and treat their aging patients. Geriatricians are more apt to be practitioners.

"Typically, when we use the word 'geriatrician' we're referring to a physician who's had special training in the care of older adults. We also have geriatric nurses, who are sometimes called gerontological nurses. But basically, anybody who's practicing in the field is practicing the specialty of geriatrics."

A downloadable audio file of Dr. Allman's article is also available.