Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment
Article information
Abstract
Comprehensive geriatric assessment(CGA) is a multidimensional diagnostic process to determine the needs for care, to establish a plan for management, and to improve outcomes in frail elderly individuals. It frequently employs interdisciplinary team-approach and quantitative assessment tools, emphasizing the functional status and quality of life. The process of geriatric assessment is a systematic evaluation of physical health and functional status, continence, nutritional status, cognitive and psychological status, and socio-environmental factors. Most geriatric assessment studies result in a decrease in dependency and mortality, shorter hospital stays and fewer admissions to nursing homes, and cost-effective care. The program for inpatient units and the home CGA teams had more benefits than others. To settle down Geriatrics in Korea, we should pay more attention to the field of geriatric assessment research and development of the tools for the Korean elderly population.