Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment of Elderly Adults

Abstract

The geriatric population is increasing all over the world. Aging people have special health requirements and comprehensive medical checkups prevent physical, functional and mental decline during the aging period. This study aimed to examine the fitness level and identify problems with the well-being of elderly persons. In this context, the study also attempted to determine the relationship between socio-demographic factors and the health status of elderly adults. In this cross-sectional study, 168 elderly adults (≥65 years old) from 12 central villages of Kars, Turkey were examined. The home home comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed by a family physician in participant. In this study group, more than half of the participants reported urinary incontinence problems (51.2%) and a very high rate of generalized pain (58.3%). The most frequently observed chronic disease was hypertension (45.2%). The percentage of chronic dental oral problems was 57.1% in the current study group. Comorbidity and polypharmacy rate among the participants was 19.0%. The reported health problems in order to frequency in the study group were; heart disease: 17.3%, benign prostatic hypertrophy:16.7%, gastric diseases: 16.3%, diabetes mellitus (type II): 13.1%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 11.6%, depression: 10.9%, the audio impairment:10.7%, visual impairment: 8.3%. There was a statistically significant relationship between advanced age, low economic level, low education level, lack of social support, co-morbidities, polypharmacy, depression, and impaired health status. Comprehensive geriatric assessment of elderly adults is essential for managing geriatrics health problems. With the comprehensive geriatric assessment, pre-frail individuals could be detected and early medical care would be planned for this population.