Reichel's Care of the Elderly: Clinical Aspects of Aging, 7th Edition Doody's Expert Review Review Questionnaire ISBN: 9781107054943 ISBN-10: 110705494X Copyright: 2016 Edition: 7th Editor: Busby-Whitehead, Jan, Arenson, Christine, Durso, Samuel C., Swagerty, Daniel, Mosqueda, Laura, Singh, Maria Fiatarone, Doody's Expert Review    Score: 93 Doody's Star Rating™ and Doody's Expert Review provide by Doody Enterprises, Inc. Reviewer: Sharon Thomas,  BSN  (University of Missouri) Description This is an update of a book first published in 1978 that focuses on geriatric care from a general approach to caring for the elderly to specific systems and principles. The book includes excellent supportive references in the form of tables, charts, photographs, and graphs. The most recent previous edition was published in 2009. Purpose Anyone working with the geriatric population appreciates the need to approach the elderly in a manner geared to their unique qualities. This book emphasizes the importance of considering the whole person, including their biopsychosocial and spiritual needs, and tailoring care to each individual. This is a very worthy objective and the principles need to be part of the provider's foundation training. The editors and contributors have met the objectives. Audience It is written for practitioners who will or are working with the geriatric population. Chapter one explains, "What society is calling for are physicians who are committed to the person, and not just to a specific disease state or mechanism." Emphasis is placed on the need to know the patient thoroughly. This might include house calls, which will require some further knowledge in reimbursement and utilization of community resources. The authors, who by their own practice have proven themselves credible authorities, believe this should be part of the practitioner's education experience in order to be incorporated into their practice. Features The book is well organized and divided into four logical sections: general approaches; geriatric syndromes; care by organ systems; and principles of care. Each section is broken down into specific topics, authored by experts. One area that is very well covered is geriatric syndromes. The chapters cover issues such as frail elders, falling, gait issues, dizziness, dementia, and delirium. Too often, these areas are accepted as normal for the elderly and not treated as something that can be made better. All of the text is supported with tables and figures. The section of color figures is especially good and shows what would be difficult to describe with words alone. Assessment This is an excellent addition for the library of healthcare providers who care for the geriatric population. It is well organized and the index makes accessing specific topics easy. Because healthcare technology is constantly changing and the elderly population is growing, the updated version is necessary. In 2006, the PBS program Frontline aired a show, Living Old (www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/livingold/etc/synopsis.html). One of the topics of the show was the low number of physicians desiring to specialize in geriatrics. As an aging, almost ready to retire, person I have concerns that those of us who have chosen to work with the elderly will retire and there will be no one there for us when we need care. This book is an excellent tool for motivating practitioners to consider the specialty. Review Questionnaire Range Question Score 1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10 1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 10 1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5 1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5 1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 4 1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 4 1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5 1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 4 1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5 1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4 1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 4 1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A 1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10 1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? 10 ©2024 Doody Enterprises, Inc.