New Variations on the Theme of Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment

摘要

Geriatric assessment—broadly defined—has become foundational to systems of care for frail elderly people at risk for functional decline, death, intensification of services, and long-term institutionalization. Its key feature is the ascertainment of multiple dimensions of health and health risks: not only medical, but functional, cognitive, psychological, and socioeconomic factors. This multidimensionality is key to systematic screening and targeting using technologies to uncover frail, at-risk elderly people in their neighborhoods, homes, and at various other service contact points, for more intensive evaluation, i.e., “comprehensive geriatric assessment”, a multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment process that identifies medical, psychosocial, and functional limitations of a frail older person to develop a coordinated plan to maximize overall health with aging [1].