Injuries in the Aged

Abstract

Persons over 65 years of age now comprise 11 per cent. of the population. This proportion is rising; 50 years ago it was 5 per cent., and it is estimated that in 50 years' time it will be 17 per cent. ( Logan, 1953). Correspondingly, the medical and surgical needs of the elderly are demanding increas- ing attention. It is common to find one-third of the beds in accident wards occupied by these people, and it therefore seemed profitable to define more precisely what kinds of injuries are chiefly concerned, how they happen, and what are their results in mortality, duration of stay in hospital, and resettlement problems.