CGA

Question 1

Myths of aging,
population pyramid and
difference in the way
that visual information
is processed between
young and old

Answer 1

1. “You are born and then it’s all downhill from there.”
   sort of there’s a critical period you develop some brain cells and connections and then everything just falls apart.
2. As you get older, you can’t teach old brain a new tricks, you can learn things when you are younger but then if you dont learn it by a certain age there’s just no hope.
3. As you get older, everything just slows down.

Question 2

• Normal aging vs.
  cognitive impairment

Answer 2

1. Short-term memory is affected when we get older
2. we tend to do slowly as we get older, and we may have more difficulty with specific task
3. tasks that require divided attention as we get older

Question 3

Hearing loss and
dementia – is there a
connection?

Answer 3

The link may be related to social activity. When someone experiences hearing loss, they might choose to withdraw from social activities because communication becomes more challenging. If they decide to avoid social interactions due to difficulties in hearing and understanding conversations, they may become less mentally engaged. This lack of mental stimulation could contribute to cognitive decline, possibly leading to conditions like dementia over time. In essence, staying socially active and mentally stimulated is important for maintaining brain health, and hearing loss may indirectly impact this by affecting one’s participation in social activities.

Question 4

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
What is it and why is it important?

Answer 4

It is a systematic and holistic approach that takes into account various aspects of an individual’s well-being, including medical, social, mental, functional, and environmental factors. CGA is specifically designed for older adults, typically those aged 65 and above, and it aims to identify and address the unique and often interrelated challenges they may face.

Question 5

CGA Framework: 6 Steps

Answer 5

1. Gather data
2. Team discussion
3. Develop a plan
4. Implement the plan
5. Evaluate the plan
6. Modify the plan

Question 6

Scope of Practice

Answer 6

• powers of observation
• detect red flags
• document
• utilize interprofessional team
• person-centered approach