Improving older people’s walking and balancing improves quality of life, reduces dependence on health and social care and prevents falls. This guide looks at the importance of taking a full history, assessing gait and balance, and referral to physiotherapy.
Assessment of mental capacity should be a routine part of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. This guide lays out the principles which govern testing mental capacity, advance care decisions and powers of attorney, along with the safeguards.
Nutritional status can be easily assessed, and problems can often be addressed quickly. Key questions about diet, appetite and weight should be on the menu of any Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
Depression among the over-65s is often under-recognised, so CGA is not complete without assessing mental health. The assessment conversation also offers an opportunity to identify cognitive dysfunction which may be a sign of dementia or delirium.
Physical health problems, particularly chronic health problems such as obesity, diabetes and smoking-related illnesses, are more common in people with long-term mental illness.
Functional assessment examines factors like mobility and daily living activities, and social assessment looks at social circumstances. Asking what the older person does and what environment they live in adds context to any Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment.
In 2008 a letter was sent to 826 residential homes in one state in Australia asking them what information was available that addressed issues of intimacy and sexuality.
Falls are a frequent and frightening issue for patients and staff, and they have physical and psychological consequences for individuals and society. They are costly in human and financial terms (National Institute for Health and Clinical ExceIlence 2004).
Presentations from our recent conference, Living and dying well with frailty which took place on the 6th March 2018
Comprehensive Local Research Networks (CLRNs) work locally to assist research in their area. Using them may assist you in your research project.
If you're thinking of doing research but are put off by taking a lengthy break from work or studies, consider doing research part time alongside your clinical job. We examine the pros and cons.
Read our international journal publishing refereed original articles and commissioned reviews on geriatric medicine and gerontology