Review article

Differences between normal and pathological aging –the basis for the gerontological rehabilitation

Nada TOMASOVIĆ MRČELA ; Referentni centar Ministarstva zdravlja RH za zaštitu zdravlja starijih osoba – Centar za zdravstvenu gerontologiju, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”
Spomenka TOMEK-ROKSANDIĆ ; Referentni centar Ministarstva zdravlja RH za zaštitu zdravlja starijih osoba – Centar za zdravstvenu gerontologiju, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”
Zvonimir ŠOSTAR ; Referentni centar Ministarstva zdravlja RH za zaštitu zdravlja starijih osoba – Centar za zdravstvenu gerontologiju, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”
Zijad DURAKOVIĆ ; Hrvatsko društvo za gerontologiju i gerijatriju HLZ-a
M. LJUBIČIĆ ; Hrvatsko društvo za gerontologiju i gerijatriju HLZ-a
Ana STAVLJENIĆ RUKAVINA ; DIU Libertas Međunarodno sveučilište
Marica LUKIĆ ; Referentni centar Ministarstva zdravlja RH za zaštitu zdravlja starijih osoba – Centar za zdravstvenu gerontologiju, Nastavni zavod za javno zdravstvo „Dr. Andrija Štampar”

Abstract

Aim

The aim is to highlight the factors that influence the occurrence of the disease and
functional disability among the elderly as well as differences between normal and
pathologic aging.

Methods

Gerontologicalpublic health analysis based on the identification, monitoring and
evaluation of gerontological public health indicators of hospital morbidity and
disability in the elderly.

Result

The most common causes of hospitalization of the elderly (1-5) in Croatia (2014)
are: first disease of the circulatory system (68.3/1,000), followed by tumors
(45.2/1,000), third in eye diseases and adnexa (26.4/1,000), followed by diseases of
the digestive system (23.5/1,000) and injuries, poisonings and other consequences
of external causes (18.0/1,000).
Diseases of the circulatory system (27.4/1000, 2014) and neoplasms (rate of
12.9/1000, 2014) are the most common cause of death in elderly people. The
elderly made up 38% of the total number of registered people with disabilities (N =
519,368) according to the Croatia’s Disabilities Registry (2012). The most common
disability was the damage of the locomotor system, which makes up about 30% of
the total causes of disability among the elderly (Croatia’s Disabilities Registry,2012).

Conclusion

In order to prevent illness and old-age dependency on others for care and
assistance, it is necessary to timely determine functional disability, risk factors for
the occurrence of pathological aging and negative health behavior.Comprehensive
geriatric assessment is based on individual gerontology, biopsychosocial approach
to the elderly for the purposes of disease prevention, treatment and rehabilitation
of geriatric patients, and it contributes to the timely and adequate geriatric health
intervention.

Keywords

ageing; risk factors in ageing; functional ability in older persons; individual gerontologic approach

Hrčak ID:

163357

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/163357

Publication date:

3.4.2016.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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