مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري

Abstract :

The geriatric population is composed of people aging 65 years and over and is growing throughout the world. The increase in the utilization of health services by the elderly correlates directly with the population aging. Geriatric assessment refers to an overall evaluation of the health status of the elderly patient. The well-being is the result of the interactions among a number of factors, some of which are medical. Geriatric patients differ from adult patients in terms of psychological and socioeconomical aspects as well as familial situation and community health. They have functional decline and losses. Comorbidity is frequent and diseases occur atypically. Functional assessment is more holistic than the traditional medical evaluation. The ultimate goal of evaluation is to improve or maintain function.Comprehensive geriatric assessment is a three-step process:(1) screening appropriate patients; (2) assessment and development of recommendations; (3) implementation of recommendations, including physician and patient adherence. Geriatric assessment is interdisciplinary and instruments (i.e. scales) are used frequently. The components of geriatric assessment include the evaluation of cognitive function, affective disorders, sensory impairment, functional status, nutrition, mobility, social support, physical environment and caregiver burden. The results may be used for making diagnoses, monitoring the course of treatment, providing prognostic information, performing future comparisons and planning future directives.