Examination of older patients incorporates all the typical aspects of clinical examination, although there are some general considerations and emphases that should be borne in mind, and specific examinations that may be more relevant in older people.
Functional assessment examines factors like mobility and daily living activities, and social assessment looks at social circumstances. Asking what the older person does and what environment they live in adds context to any Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
Depression among the over-65s is often under-recognised, so CGA is not complete without assessing mental health. The assessment conversation also offers an opportunity to identify cognitive dysfunction which may be a sign of dementia or delirium.
Creating a problem list as part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment can help identify all the issues to consider and will be helpful in drawing up a care plan.
Medication review is a core component of CGA. Older patients can have indications for multiple medications, some of which may be based on sound evidence, but others may do more harm than good. The evidence base for guideline based prescribing may not be so relevant to frail older people.
A reference guide to care and support planning within Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for primary care and community clinicians, including the recommended components and tips for creating a care plan.
CGA needs to consider the impact of social factors on the health and wellbeing of individuals and vice versa. Here we look at working with Social Services and the differences in the four nations of the UK.
Improving older people’s walking and balancing improves quality of life, reduces dependence on health and social care and prevents falls. This guide looks at the importance of taking a full history, assessing gait and balance, and referral to physiotherapy.
Older people with frailty, those with reduced mobility and those with multiple co-morbidities are all susceptible to problems with bone health.
Often a key component of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in primary care, this guide examines step-by-step how to carry out a multifactorial risk assessment for falls.
The assessment of driving risk can be difficult for clinicians. These Guidelines set out the responsibilities of clinicians to their patients, and provide a framework for thinking about the management of their driving safety.
The final edition of 2018 reflects on the BGS Autumn Meeting 2018, how those involved in the care of older people can work with complexity, and the role of diet and nutrition in healthy ageing.
Read our international journal publishing refereed original articles and commissioned reviews on geriatric medicine and gerontology