The geriatric assessment is designed to evaluate and older person’s physical health,cognition, functional ability, and mental health

The geriatric assessment is designed to evaluate and older person’s physical health,cognition, functional ability, and mental health. Since elderly patient’s take some prescription and over the counter medications, vitamins and herbal products, this assessment aids in the diagnosis of medical conditions, develop treatment and follow-up plans, coordinates the management of care and evaluation of long-term needs and placement (American Family Physician. (n.d).

A complete is usually first initiated when the doctor detects a potential problem such asfalls, immobility, confusion, or incontinence. A geriatric patient might present themselves as confused and may not have a neurological problem but it may be an infection.  Illnesses hitelderly people a lot worse than younger people. Often times when an elderlypatient is in the hospital they not only have a physician overseeing them butalso a nutritionist, social worker and physical/occupational therapy.