Overview:

The consequences of America’s surge in its aging population are profound. More than half of those over age 65 report at least one disability. Three-quarters of those over age 80 have at least one chronic condition such as arthritis or hypertension.

Due to these complex medical issues, elderly individuals benefit from a thorough geriatric assessment. This type of multidimensional and multidisciplinary assessment encompasses more than just a routine physical exam that might be sufficient for a younger adult. A comprehensive geriatric assessment focuses attention on the functional, mental and social capacity of the elderly person.

This updated edition of Medcom’s course on geriatric assessment concentrates on those portions of a total assessment that are commonly performed in a clinical setting. It describes a functional assessment and demonstrates a step-by step physical assessment, identifying steps that may differ in evaluating the health status of an older adult. It also provides a brief overview on mental status assessment as well as the importance of an inventory of medications.

Objectives:

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

• Explain the importance of performing an accurate and thorough assessment of the geriatric patient
• Take a health history and perform a functional assessment
• Perform a comprehensive, “head-to-toe” physical assessment of the patient
• Assess the mental status of the geriatric patient
• Take an inventory of medications that the patient is currently on