Healthcare Assessment for Geriatric Patients

Healthcare for the senior members of the population has become an increasing concern as medical science increases the average lifespan.  Approximately 15% of the population is over 65 making them, well into retirement age (Ellis & Langhorne, 2005).  This group is subject to increasing health risks because of advanced age and diminished activity.  It is predicted that this population will double, if not more, in the next three decades (Miller & Zylstra, 2000).  The care of this age group is a significant and growing concern for healthcare professionals who approach the elderly from a life course perspective.

A health assessment for a geriatric patient should be focused on identifying existing issues and identifying risks for future issues.  As the body ages, it becomes harder to treat illnesses and injuries and so prevention becomes a primary focus.  While injury prevention falls largely on the shoulders of the patient and their activity and behavior choices, a doctor or nurse can identify certain risks in the patient’s life such as medications that decrease cognition, perception, or motor control as well as diet and exercise factors that can contribute to general frailty (Miller & Zylstra, 2000).  This level of assessment is most commonly concerned with falls since osteoporosis is a common geriatric affliction, though all kinds of physical trauma can be addressed with appropriate physical assessment.

Psychological care is another important factor for geriatric patients as they are at significantly greater risk of major problems.  Delirium, in particular, is a concern for virtually all geriatric patients and there is no reason to not assess, prevent, and treat for it as thorough measures have been shown to reduce the frequency of delirium by as much as 40% in properly assessed population (Ellis & Langhorne, 2005).  As one of the greatest fears of the elderly, assessing risks and signs of delirium is a significant priority for healthcare professionals.

Finally, a health and pain assessment should consider therapy, nutrition, and basic medication as ongoing interests, not just previous factors.  Keeping immunizations up to date, maintaining a healthy diet, and keeping geriatric patients physically active should be an emphasis of assessments for patients of all levels of health both as treatment and preventative measures (Miller & Zylstra, 2000).  There is also an ongoing issue of sexual activity that is often overlooked among the elderly but remains a serious health concern.  With nearly 75 percent of married men and well over 50 percent of married women over 60 still participating in sexual activity, it is important to keep them aware of the health risks that come along with any sexual activity as well as the ones due to their heightened age like bone, muscle, and heart frailty (Miller & Zylstra, 2000).  It should never be assumed that the elderly understand their health risks and needs.  The assessment is responsible for informing geriatric patients about the basic as well as advanced concern that exists for each individual.

References

Ellis, G., & Langhorne, P. (2005). Comprehensive geriatric assessment for older hospital patients. British Medical Bulletin, 71(1), 45-59. Retrieved from http://bmb.oxfordjournals.org/content/71/1/45.full

Miller, K. E., & Zylstra, R. G. (200). The geriatric patient: A systematic approach to maintaining health. American Family Physician, 61(4), 1089-1104. Retrieved from http://www.aafp.org/afp/2000/0215/p1089.html