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Geriatric Assessment
CGA

The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)

The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional, multidisciplinary diagnostic process used to determine medical, functional, and psychosocial problems and capabilities in an elderly patient who may be at risk for functional decline.  

The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is designed to:

 

  • Evaluate the multiple problems of older persons

  • Assess their resources and strengths

  • Determine service needs

  • Develop coordinated care plans to focus interventions on individual problems

     

What Does the CGA Evaluate?
Physical Health

The medical history focuses special attention on medication use and the risk of malnutrition, falling, incontinence, and immobility.

 

The physical examination seeks to identify specific diseases or conditions for which curative, restorative, palliative, or preventive treatment may be available. Special attention is directed toward visual or hearing impairment, nutritional status, and conditions that may contribute to frailty and falling or difficulty in ambulation.

Mental Health

Cognitive, behavioral, and emotional statuses are evaluated, with particular emphasis on detecting dementia, delirium, and depression.

Social & Economic

The social support network includes the availability and competence of caregivers, the elderly person’s economic resources, and other sources of support such as cultural, ethnic, and spiritual resources. It also includes the individual's assessment of the quality of life. 

Functional Status

Functional status is measured by the ability to accomplish basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and to participate in behavioral and social activities referred to as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs). ADLs include bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. IADLs require a higher level of cognition and judgment than physical activities and include preparation of meals, shopping, light housework, financial management, medication management, use of transportation, and use of the telephone. 

Environmental

Evaluating the patient's physical environment determines the safety of the living environment. It also assesses the patient’s access to essential services, such as shopping, pharmacy, and transportation.

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