A subspecialty of internal medicine, geriatrics focuses on the healthcare of elderly people. It aims to promote health by preventing, treating and managing diseases and disabilities in older adults. As the body ages, various organ systems decline, and previous health issues and lifestyle choices produce a variety of different diseases and symptoms in different people. Effective primary care management of geriatric health issues focuses on preventive care and proactive medical management of chronic conditions and diseases, among them arthritis, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and osteoporosis. Elderly people also require specific attention to medications, as they are likely taking multiple medications for multiple conditions, increasing the risk of adverse drug interactions and reactions. The overall health of a community is greatly affected by the well-being of its older residents; so, it’s important to make sure that our elders, who often are forgetful and don’t set or keep appointments, take advantage of all the healthcare services available to them.