TRENDING WELLNESS TOPIC: Preventive Geriatrics

What is the problem?

Americans ages 65 and older make up 16.8% of the current population, and the numbers are growing fast. Common health issues that primarily affect the elderly population (geriatric syndromes) include falls, cognitive syndromes, incontinence, and malnutrition. Often important components of these syndromes are not addressed in the healthcare system. Preventive geriatrics aims to implement preservation of health in old age by high levels of engagement and avoidance of disease, enhance detection and appropriate treatment of chronic diseases specific to the elderly population, maximize patient independence consistent with irreversible disease and disability, as well as provide sympathetic care and support during terminal illness. Failure to implement age-appropriate screening tests in the geriatric population is associated with higher patient morbidity and mortality risks and long-term health care costs arising from disease complications. It is important for healthcare providers to recognize and act on opportunities for preventive care in older adults, to provide improved care for this growing patient population. 

Learning Objectives

• Understand components of preventive geriatrics (“Geriatric Syndromes”)
• Appreciate disparity and challenges associated with health screening in elderly patients
• Recognize important considerations in geriatric patient evaluation, including age-specific history taking and physical exam
• Understand opportunities for prevention in older adults, including strategies for primary, secondary and tertiary preventive services
• Selective topics in geriatric preventive care
  • Fall prevention, Dementia and cognitive care, and Malnutrition

CLICK HERE to download a PDF file featuring information gaps, potential needs, and references for this topic.

If your medical staff needs an update on common geriatric syndromes and preventive opportunities, consider contacting our office to book a speaker at 877-505-4777 or info@speakersnetwork.com.

REFERENCES

https://www.census.gov/topics/population/older-aging.html#:~:text=The%202021%20American%20Community%20Survey,of%20331%2C893%2C745%2C%20or%2016.8%25.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2409147/