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Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment: A Holistic Look at Health in Older Age
What a geriatric assessment covers and who needs it: falls, memory, nutrition, medicines and daily living skills assessed at home.
An older person's health is more than a list of diagnoses. Memory, mobility, nutrition, mood, medicines and social support shape quality of life just as much. A comprehensive geriatric assessment looks at all of these together.
Who should have one?
People over 75, or over 65 with several chronic conditions; anyone with recent falls, weight loss or weakness; those taking five or more medicines; people with memory or behaviour changes; those struggling with daily tasks; and recently discharged older patients.
| Domain | What is assessed |
|---|---|
| Physical health | Chronic conditions, pain, vision, hearing, oral health |
| Function | Bathing, dressing, toileting, eating, walking |
| Mobility and balance | Falls, walking speed, rising from a chair |
| Cognition | Memory, attention, orientation |
| Mood | Depression and anxiety |
| Nutrition | Weight change, appetite, swallowing, malnutrition risk |
| Medicines | Polypharmacy, inappropriate drugs, interactions |
| Social | Living alone, caregiver support, home safety |
| Continence | Urinary and bowel leakage |
What is frailty?
Reduced physiological reserves, so that a minor stress such as an infection or medicine change causes rapid decline. Signs: unintentional weight loss, exhaustion, slow walking, weak grip and low activity. Frailty is not destiny: exercise, nutrition and medicine review can improve it.
After the assessment
Medicine review, a fall-prevention plan, nutrition support, cognitive and emotional support, a care plan (carer, nurse or companion) and vaccinations.
Doing the assessment at home lets the doctor see the person in their real environment: bathroom safety, stairs, how medicines are stored and daily routines.
We plan home geriatric assessments with specialist doctors across Yalova, combining nursing, physiotherapy, dietitian and carer support, with appointments in Bursa, Istanbul and Kocaeli–Gebze.
