A clinical possibility: preventing health problems after the age of 65.

1. There are a number of common health problems of the elderly that have the potential to be prevented, postponed, or reversed even after age 65. 2. The nurse's knowledge of the difference between normal aging and a disease process is essential to enable the nurse to detect whether a health problem can be prevented, postponed, or reversed. 3. It is being discovered that there is an alarmingly high number of seniors whose "dementia" is not permanent, but rather is reversible or treatable.