Comprehensive geriatric assessment and acute illnesses Flashcards
What is the geriatric process?
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (GCA)
- Creation of a problem list (Not just Ddx)
- Agree objectives of care
- Develop individual management plan
- Regular review
What is the comprehensive geriatric assessment?
a diagnostic process focused on determining a frail, older person’s medical, psychological and functional capability
What are the 4 main parts of the CGA?
Medical
Functional
Psychological
Social/Environmental
What are the medical points of the CGA?
- Problem list
- Co-morbid conditions and severity
- Medication review
- Nutritional staus
What are the functional points of the CGA?
- Basic ADLs (Activities of Daily Living)
- Extended ADLs
- Activity/Exercise status
- Gait and balance
What are the psychological points of the CGA?
- Mental status
- Cognitive function
- Mood/Depression testing
What are the social/environmental points of the CGA?
- Informal needs and assets
- Social circle
- Care resources
- Safety
What is a problem list?
Lists of all of the problems than an elderly person is facing, which can be both medical and non-medical
What are some differences when treating acute illnesses in the elderly?
- Atypical or masked presentations
- Pathophysiological responses vary
- Co-morbid conditions
- Investigations and management need to be reviewed and medications need to be justified
Why can healthcare interventions more commonly negatively affect the elderly?
Because frail older people have less homeostatic reserve, they are often delicately balanced
Why do acute illnesses carry a much higher mortality in the elderly?
Impaired physiology and multi-morbidity, leading to a tendency to decompensated faster
