Many complex, interrelated factors can affect the health, happiness and independence of older adults. During a geriatric assessment, an interdisciplinary team works together to analyze all of these factors for each client. Following their evaluation, the team shares its conclusions and recommendations with the client, family members, caregivers and primary care physician to help all involved understand the client’s aging process and make informed decisions.
Indicators for Geriatric Assessment
Indicators include but are not limited to:
Unexplained or repetitive injuries (falls, burns, bruises, cuts)
Unsteady walking or balance
Swallowing difficulty, choking on food or fluids
Consistent, unplanned weight loss
Difficulty managing medications appropriately
Increasingly unsafe accumulation of paper or clutter
Unmanaged incontinency
Becoming lost, wandering
Lack of maintaining usual weekly social routine
Increasing forgetfulness, mental confusion, or repetitive statements
Failure to cook or eat
Reluctance to invite people in
A geriatric assessment is a two-appointment visit during which the team will talk with both the client and a family member or caregiver. Through conversation and evaluations, the team will assess the client's nutrition, social interaction, memory, balance and medications as well as review the medical history.
At the end of the second visit, the team will provide a list of recommendations for the client, the family member/caregiver and the client's doctor. The goal of assessment is to add quality to the life of the participants.
