[Preventive geriatrics.].
The concepts of geriatric medicine and prevention are described. The first speciality recognition of geriatric medicine was granted in 1981 and over 10 speciality diplomas have since been granted by the health authorities in Iceland. The three stages of prevention and methods for detecting risk factors are described. General and special recommendations for medical prevention for the elderly are reviewed. It has been estimated that a third of recent reduction in coronary mortality in Iceland can be attributed to progress in medical technology and two thirds to reduction in risk factor prevalence. Nordic Geriatric Work-up has put an emphasis on geriatric assessment which has been shown to be of preventive value for the frail elderly. Life expectancy at birth has increased by 20 years over 75 years and the population ratio of centenarians has more than doubled for the past 20 years in Iceland. The demand for tertiary prevention and geriatric assessment will continue to grow.