[Rehabilitation in geriatrics].

Geriatric rehabilitation is described according to the theory of Steinmann and is divided into three categories. Firstly, into the actual preventive rehabilitation of the outpatient with the aim of slowing down, possibly even stabilizing or retarding partly normal, partly pathological changes occurring as a function of the aging process. The old person who is not confined to an institution should thus be given an opportunity to lead an active life inspite of certain age related infirmities. Secondly, the general rehabilitation of the sick, comprising the treatment of age illnesses by means of medication and what could be described as "activating care or therapy". Thirdly, the specific rehabilitation which deals with these old age diseases through sophisticated and expensive team in a highly specialized clinic. The approach of the therapeutic team of a geriatric clinic ist described on the basis of the example of the treatment of hemiplegic patients.