geriatrics
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
Introduction
Comprehensive geriatric assessment is a multidimensional process designed to assess the functional ability, health (physical, cognitive, and mental), and socioenvironmental situation of older people. The comprehensive A Geriatric Assessment Instrument specifically and thoroughly evaluates functional and cognitive abilities, social support, financial status, and environmental factors, as well as physical and mental health. Ideally, a regular examination of older patients incorporates many aspects of the comprehensive geriatric assessment, making the 2 approaches very similar. Assessment results are coupled with sustained individually tailored interventions (eg, rehabilitation, education, counseling, supportive services). The cost of geriatric assessment limits its use. Thus, this assessment may be used best mainly in high-risk older patients, such as the frail or chronically ill (eg, identified via mailed health questionnaires or interviews in the home or meeting places). Family members may also request a referral for geriatric assessment. However, in the US, theAnnual Wellness Examinationis offered as a covered benefit under Medicare and includes the main components of a comprehensive geriatric assessment and provides a detailed health risk assessment and personalized prevention plan. Assessment can have the following benefits: Improved care and clinical outcomes Greater diagnostic accuracy Improved functional and mental status Reduced mortality Decreased use of nursing homes and acute care hospitals Greater satisfaction with care If older patients are relatively healthy, a standard medical evaluation may be appropriate. Comprehensive geriatric assessment is most successful when done by a Geriatric Interdisciplinary Teams (typically, a geriatrician, nurse, social worker, and pharmacist). Usually, assessments are done in an outpatient setting. However, patients with physical or mental impairments and chronically ill patients may require inpatient assessment. 