Abstract:

An international project designed to review geriatric self-care in various countries & health care systems is discussed (Dean, K., Hickey, T., & Holstein, B. E., Self Care and Health in Old Age, London: Croon-Helm, 1986). The evolution of geriatric self-care is reviewed, focusing on: similarities & differences in health care systems; demographic changes; cohort differences; the emergence of professionals with specialized training in geriatric health care; & the salience of biomedical models in addressing the health problems of aging. The inadequacy of current health care systems in dealing with an aging population is described, & it is argued that professionals & consumers must work together on the development of health care initiatives that decrease dependency on formal services & support positive health behavior. It is concluded that for the healthier & better educated elderly, effective self-care can be an important tool of prevention, health maintenance, & consumer protection. For the chronically impaired & most dependent elderly, self-treatment may be their only resource.