Geriatric Assessment
What is a geriatric assessment?
A geriatric assessment (GA) is a long visit with a geriatrics doctor or to a clinic with doctors, nurses, psychologists, and other health professionals. During the visit, all aspects of an older person's condition are evaluated. The assessment covers not only medical conditions but also the ability to live at home, ability to think and make decisions, a person's mood, and support systems. It is usually done when an older person's health or mental or physical abilities change.
The GA can help figure out what may be causing problems and what can be done--for example, where the older person will live, who will provide care, and what kind of help is needed. Managing these problems can allow an older person to stay independent and have a higher quality of life for a longer time.
What is done during a geriatric assessment?
A doctor and other healthcare professionals (usually a nurse or social worker) will evaluate the person's:
- physical health
- mental health
- social situation
- ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs)
- financial situation.
They will look for current problems and try to see what they can do to try to prevent more problems. The GA should include:
- medical history
- physical exam
- review of all medicines, including prescription, nonprescription, supplements, and natural remedies
- lab tests (blood and urine)
- X-rays if needed.
Tests of the following can show how well the older adult functions:
- vision
- hearing
- shoulder and arm function
- leg and hip function
- bowel and bladder control
- diet
- the ability to think, remember, and reason
- walking and balance
- strength
- sleep habits
- activities of daily living.
Activities of daily living (ADLs) include:
- bathing
- dressing
- controlling bladder and bowels and using the bathroom
- getting in and out of bed, walking, or using a wheelchair
- feeding oneself
- using the telephone
- shopping
- cooking
- cleaning
- doing laundry
- taking medicines without help
- handling money.
The GA should also check for mental health problems such as depression or anxiety. Financial resources and the need for services in the home are also assessed.
If safety issues in the person's home are a concern, the nurse practitioner or social worker may:
- Ask the older adult to show that they can cook safely.
- Ask the older adult who they would call in an emergency.
- Make sure the neighborhood is safe.
- Check for door locks, window locks, and fire extinguishers, and make sure the person is able to use them.
- Check for safe lighting, stairs, handrails, and nonskid floors and walkways.
- Check the location of bedrooms, bathroom, telephones, and the laundry area.
- Look in cupboards and the refrigerator for the amounts and quality of food.
The completed GA gives the healthcare provider and caregivers a total picture of what the person can still do safely and where help is needed.
Written by Carolyn Norrgard, RNC, BA, MEd, and Carol Matheis-Kraft, PhD, RNC, for RelayHealth.
Published by RelayHealth.
© 2009 RelayHealth and/or its affiliates. All Rights Reserved.
