Geriatric Syndrome
Overview
“Geriatric syndromes” is the term used to describe a group of health conditions in older people that were not attributed into discrete disease categories. The conditions include frailty, acute/subacute function decline , falls, dizziness, polypharmacy, incontinence, malnutrition, weight loss, and cognitive impairment (which may arise from dementia, depression or delirium). Geriatric syndromes have complex interplay between age-related physiologic changes, chronic diseases, and stress events in older adults.
World Health Organization have announced that physical and mental function were best indicators of “health” in older people. Evidence have also shown that geriatric syndromes may have more impact on the prognosis and care burden of older adults than morbidities alone.
Features Summary
1.Patient-centered and disability prevention/compression care model
2.Integrate disease management, function assessement/reenablement, and post-discharge intermediate/long-term care connection for older people
3.Interdisciplinary team:
geriatrician, psychiatrist, physiatrist, physical therapist, dietician, pharmacist, nurse, social worker, case manager
Procedure
1.Content of comprehensive geriatric assessment and management
- Comorbidities assessment and individualized treatment plan
- Function assessment :ADL and IADL; gait, balance and fall risks; mood and cognition; nutrition status; sarcopenia and frailty; incontinence; pressure ulcer
2.Candidates for comprehensive geriatric assessment
- aged over 80
- acute or subacute function decline
- suffered from geriatric syndrome
- multimorbidities or polypharmacy in association with physical/cognitive impairment
- Complex care needs
Notification
Patients benefit less from geriatric assessment
- critically ill due to specific disease or end-of-life stage
- completely dependent or institutionalized
Estimated Cost
For estimated medical costs, please contact International Medical Services Center.