Screening Elderly For Risks Associated With Falls and Acute Health Incidences

Didem Kafadar, Nurver Sipahioğlu, Ayşen Fenercioğlu

Keywords: elderly, screening, comprehensive assessment, falls

Background:

In elderly population, presence of geriatric syndromes such as incontinences, cognitive impairment and depression as well as physical competence in performing daily living activities are defined by comprehensive geriatric assessment(CGA) which may be difficult to perform in conditions of primary care clinics. To assess elderly patients in our community in limited time and to determine the patients who need further assessments, G8 screening tool has been defined as a practical tool.

Research questions:

1.What are the sociodemographic features and comorbidities of geriatric patients who score low from G8 screening test?
2.Is gait speed adequate to enhance the findings of G8 screening tool?

Method:

A total of 123 consecutive patients with no history of falls in the last year will be included to the study after their informed consent is obtained. The sociodemographic characteristics, medical conditions and body mass index(BMI) and gait speed of the patients applying to the outpatient clinics are recorded. In G8 screening test, brief questions regarding CGA ,self-rated health status, BMI, and age of the patient are considered in the final score. If the patient scores ≤14, then CGA is needed to further assess the patient. For 3 months, at the end of each month patients will be followed up by phone calls for any falls and health impairment. Patients with visual and hearing impairments, oncologic and neurologic diseases will be excluded.

Results:

By screening, comorbidities, sociodemographic features, association of G8 screening score and health incidents and falls during the follow-up period will be evaluated. Gait speed may enhance the results of the G8 screening test.

Conclusions:

As a result of this study, the effectiveness of a practical tool to define the elderly at risk of falling or experiencing health incidents may be demonsrated in primary care settings. We may raise awareness in the community about risks concerning the elderly population.

Points for discussion:

Discussion of utilization of screening tests in limited time in primary care settings.