Geriatric nursing is described as 2 kinds, the basic principles of each being the direct opposite. There are patients with a potential to regain independence requiring gradual withdrawal of nursing care and surrounded by furniture/equipment which aids independence; and patients beyond medical reclaim needing maintenance at their optimum, balanced by increasing true nursing care as remaining capabilities decline. The 2 categories of patient must be made easily recognizable and nurses must experience both aspects and have knowledge of social history/ social welfare for comprehensive understanding. Uniformity of medical policy and standardization of nursing procedures is considered essential to any nurse-training program in geriatric care.