geriatric

[ jer-ee-a-trik, jeer- ]

adjective

1. of or relating to geriatrics or old age:

   the hospital's geriatric ward.

2. noting or relating to aged people or animals: a geriatric pet.

   geriatric patients;

   a geriatric pet.

3. old, outmoded, or worn out by long use:

   The company is suffering from geriatric factories and manufacturing technologies.

noun

1. Often Offensive. an aged person.

geriatric

/ ˌdʒɛrɪˈætrɪk /

adjective

1. of or relating to geriatric medicine or to older people
2. offensive.
   (of people or machines) old, obsolescent, worn out, or useless

noun

1. old-fashioned.
   an elderly person
2. informal.
   an older person considered as one who may be disregarded as senile or unable to look after his or her own best interests

Word History and Origins

Origin of geriatric¹

First recorded in 1925–30; from Greek gér(ōn) “old man” + iatric ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of geriatric¹

C20: from Greek gēras old age + iatric

Example Sentences

In my career as a medical editor, I once managed a journal on geriatric nursing.

From Salon

But by the time she appeared on “The Tamron Hall Show” on Monday to discuss the geriatric pregnancy — what health professionals label a pregnancy over the age of 34 — she was no longer pregnant.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m 35, so they call it a “geriatric pregnancy.”

From Los Angeles Times

A freeze frame of a frozen-faced Biden — taken from his wretched debate performance — loomed from the big screen in the convention hall like a geriatric gargoyle.

From Los Angeles Times

Angus King and Bernie Sanders, two geriatric members of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• pensioner
• retiree
• senior

More About Geriatric

What does geriatric mean?

Geriatric is an adjective that means relating to old age or the care of aged people.

A common use of geriatric is in the phrase geriatric medicine (also called geriatrics), which is the branch of medicine dealing with the care of aged persons.

Although geriatric was once used in the medical field as a noun meaning an older person, that use is now considered offensive. It is also considered offensive when used as an adjective to describe a thing (such as a machine) that’s worn out or useless.

Example: Since older people face unique health risks, it’s important for them to see doctors who specialize in treating geriatric patients.

Where does geriatric come from?

The first records of geriatric in English come from the 1920s. Geriatric is formed from the Greek gēras, meaning “old age” (also seen in gerontology, which is the science of aging) and the suffix –iatric, which means “of or relating to a physician or medicine” (as in pediatrics and bariatric).

Getting old is complicated, and aging comes with a lot of challenges. Some of the common health issues that geriatric patients face include an increased risk of falls, muscle loss and weakness, and gradual or sudden deterioration of mental capacity. But geriatric medicine isn’t just about having older people get extra checkups. Mental health and medical professionals often have additional training to prepare to treat older people, and some even specialize in the care of geriatric patients, often incorporating multiple approaches to treat both physical and mental health.

But not all aged people are frail, and geriatric simply refers to old age—it doesn’t imply illness or poor health. For this reason, using geriatric as a way of saying that someone is physically or mentally feeble is inappropriate.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of geriatric?

• geriatrics (noun)

What are some synonyms for geriatric?

• aged
• senior 

What are some words that share a root or word element with geriatric? 

• gerontology
• gerontic
• pediatrics
• bariatric

What are some words that often get used in discussing geriatric?

• medicine
• care
• patient
• old
• older
• old age
• eldercare

How is geriatric​ used in real life?

Geriatric is most often used in the context of the medical care of older persons.

Just applied to Graduate school to pursue my next degree to specialize in Adult Geriatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner. :) #BSNtoMSN #excited

— 🇺🇸Jennifer Phelps🇺🇸 (@JPhelpsRN) February 25, 2020

Today , a 15 man team of dental students attended to and treated over 200 geriatric patients in a program organized and sponsored by SEAP.#selflesscause pic.twitter.com/DSclwG2Uxt

— Very good bad boy🤗 (@mickolassurest) February 20, 2020

Sounds silly but my number one career goal is to make a difference in others lives, especially the geriatric population. I want to be able to help as many people as I can and help them achieve there best life possible! #CareerGoal @DrKaylaPeak

— Jennifer Talbert (@JenniferTalbe17) February 24, 2020

 

 

Try using geriatric!

Which of the following terms is least likely to be used in relation to geriatric?

A. old age
B. eldercare
C. aging population
D. youth