Appropriate health care for older women.

Attaining the goal of appropriate medical care for older women requires knowledge of the changes of aging, skills in recognition and treatment of disease, and an effort to provide help and avoid harm. Iatrogenic disorders are particularly problematic in all elderly, dur to decreased stress tolerance, increased prevalence of illness, and atypical presentations of disease. Iatrogenic disorders are most commonly due to drugs; elderly women are particularly at risk dur to altered pharmacokinetics, multiple medical problems, difficulties with compliance, and inappropriate prescribing practices by physicians. In addition, research and development of drugs has often excluded both women and the elderly.Other types of treatment may also result in complications, including significant morbidity and mortality. Additionally, since invasive diagnostic procedures are a common cause of iatrogenic disorders, careful consideration of the usefulness of tests and the appropriateness of treatment is particularly important when caring for elderly women. Attention to the maintenance of function is also critical; the ability of the older woman to live independently may depend upon adequate nutrition, ambulation, continence, and cognition. Health care providers must be responsible for functional assessment and all possible support of these essential capabilities.