A medical term: geriatric medicine refers to the clinical, preventive and social aspects of illness in older people. The definition of a ‘geriatric’ is something of a moving target. Sixty years ago, the medical profession typically defined geriatrics as those aged over 65. However, as life expectancies have increased and older people have better expectation of good health this has shifted upwards to around 75 years. See also definition of premature death.

British Geriatrics Society