Skip to main content

Geriatric Care: General Principles

Zahra Sardar Sheikh, MD MPH CMD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

"First do no harm"; many well-intended diagnostic and therapeutic interventions (with efficacy established in younger patients) may not benefit the elder. Geriatric care, more than m...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

Optimizing communication 
  • Speak directly to your patient unless directed toward their surrogate.

  • Assess and manage emotionally charged interactions. Refrain from taking negative energy ...

TREATMENT

GENERAL MEASURES

  • Optimize nonpharmacologic options first.

  • Align with patients’ goals of care.

  • Feasibility for patient and caregivers: Assess cost, availability, travel burden, and adherence

  • Comp...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

  • Realistic expectations

  • Carefully review medications, eliminate hospital-prescribed unnecessary medications.

Patient Monitoring

Use team members optimally: home healt...

REFERENCES

1
Abraha  I, Cruz-Jentoft  A, Soiza  RL, et al. Evidence of and recommendations for non-pharmacological interventions for common geriatric conditions: the SENATOR-ONT...

CODES

ICD10

Z71.89 Other specified counseling 

SNOMED

  • 33697008 Geriatric counseling

  • 171313004 Geriatric screening

  • 183691007 Geriatric self-referral

  • 183522000 Referral to care of the elderly service

  • 268564006...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • Establish patient goals of care and align all clinical decisions within the context of these goals.

  • Use an interdisciplinary team approach to optimize holistic care for elders and their...

Subscribe to Access Full Content

Sign Up for a 10-Day Free Trial

Sign up for a 10-day FREE Trial now and receive full access to all content.

×