Comprehensive geriatric assesment of the nonagenarian population

Abstract

Our society is facing new economic, political, social and demographic challenges that will require health care services capable of responding to the population's growing health needs, especially chronic processes linked to ageing. Comprehensive assessment of the frail elderly people represents one of the most important matters in providing proper geriatric care in primary health care (PHC). A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a final sample of 105 patients > 90 years of age cared for by a PHC team. 75.2% of the population were women. 17.1% of the population as a whole and 18.9% of women lived alone. Close to 40% of the population had experienced one or more falls. 65.7% were taking more than 4 drugs/day and approximately 50% had been properly vaccinated. On a cognitive level, the majority of the population suffered from mild decline, despite their advanced age. We must progress towards comprehensive, proactive and patient-centred care. Good comprehensive geriatric assessment coupled with good care from PHC teams provides elderly persons with a better state of health.