The goal of health care is to prolong life and relieve suffering. Each of us hopes to
someday achieve elderly status, since the alternative is a life shortened by illness or
other misfortune. Yet, simply achieving an advanced age is an imperfect goal for
both our patients and ourselves. Our real aim, and that of our patients as well,
is to live a rewarding and useful life for as long as is possible. This text is a guide
for practitioners in our specialty to assist them in helping their elderly patients
achieve their goal of health and the associated high levels of function for as long
as possible. By doing so, our patients, and hopefully we as well, will continue to
enjoy life and contribute in a meaningful manner to their (and our) professions,
families, and communities. Each of us personally knows individuals who are
role models in this regard and have been able to contribute much even in their
advanced years.
This theme of long-term contribution to a community, even into advanced age,
is perhaps demonstrated no better than by Sidney Busis, the author of Chapter 6
‘‘Presbycusis’’ in this book. ‘‘Sid’’ was a solo private practitioner of otolaryngology
for 54 years in Pittsburgh prior to his retirement at the end of 2004. At the age of
84 he continues to be an active contributor to his community, and to this book.