Federica Moscucci, Francesco Baratta, Ilaria Lospinuso, Giovambattista Desideri

Abstract. This article introduces the innovative concept of geriatric gender, a paradigm shift in the way we approach aging in medical, social, and policy contexts. While traditional gender categories – male, female, and other gender identities – have guided health research and practice, they often fail to capture the complex, shared characteristics of older adults experiencing frailty, multimorbidity, cognitive decline, and functional limitations. The geriatric gender is proposed as a transversal construct that reflects the unique clinical, psychological, and social needs common to aging individuals, regardless of biological sex. From medical and pathological considerations – such as the gendered distribution of chronic diseases and dementia risk – to functional decline, caregiving dynamics, healthcare access, and social isolation, the article demonstrates how traditional binary gender frameworks are insufficient. The recognition of geriatric gender offers a more inclusive and effective lens through which healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers can address the realities of later life. By advocating for gender-inclusive health assessments, geriatric-tailored education and rehabilitation strategies, and policy development grounded in the specific needs of older populations, the article presents a comprehensive and actionable framework. It calls for health systems to integrate both sex-specific and geriatric-specific data, ensuring that clinical care, health promotion, and support services reflect the lived experiences of aging individuals. The novelty of this vision lies in its capacity to overcome the sex-based categorization and to acknowledge aging as a distinct dimension of gendered experience. Embracing geriatric gender is essential for achieving equity and precision in the care of older adults.
Key words. Geriatric gender, older age, new paradigm, health services.