Geriatric Care

This collection features AFP content deemed current by the AFP online medical editor on geriatric care and related issues, including assistive devices, elder mistreatment, failure to thrive, fall prevention, geriatric assessment, house calls, impaired visual acuity, and nursing home care. New research may affect the interpretation and application of this material. Clinical judgment is advised. Note that AFP content published within the past 12 months is accessible to AAFP members and paid subscribers only.

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Last Update: 03/29/2013

Overview Screening and Prevention Specific Issues Improving Practice

Patient Education, Self-Care Other AFP Content Other Resources from AAFP

Overview

• The Geriatric Patient: A Systematic Approach to Maintaining Health (02/15/2000)

Screening and Prevention

• Screening for Hearing Loss in Older Adults: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (01/15/2013)
• Screening for Hearing Loss in Older Adults [Putting Prevention into Practice] (01/15/2013)
• Audiometry Screening and Interpretation (01/01/2013)
• Screening for Impaired Visual Acuity in Older Adults: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (01/15/2011)
• Screening for Impaired Visual Acuity in Older Adults [Putting Prevention into Practice] (01/15/2011)
• The Geriatric Assessment (01/01/2011)
• Physical Activity Guidelines for Older Adults (01/01/2010)
• Cancer Screening in the Older Patient (12/15/2008)
• Geriatric Screening and Preventive Care (07/15/2008)
• Exercise and Older Patients: Prescribing Guidelines (08/01/2006)

Specific Issues

Abuse

• The Importance of Reporting Mistreatment of the Elderly [Editorials] (03/01/2007)
• Elder Mistreatment (05/15/1999)

Confusion

• Diagnostic Approach to the Confused Elderly Patient (03/15/1998)

Constipation

• Treatment of Constipation in Older Adults (12/01/2005)

Driving Problems

• Older Adult Drivers with Cognitive Impairment (03/15/2006)
• The Older Adult Driver (01/01/2000)

Failure to Thrive

• Geriatric Failure to Thrive (07/15/2004)
• Evaluating and Treating Unintentional Weight Loss in the Elderly (02/15/2002)

Falls

• Prevention of Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Recommendation Statement [U.S. Preventive Services Task Force] (12/15/2012)
• Prevention of Falls in Community-Dwelling Older Adults [Putting Prevention into Practice] (12/15/2012)
• Management of Falls in Older Persons: A Prescription for Prevention (12/01/2011)
• Geriatric Assistive Devices (08/15/2011)
• Gait and Balance Disorders in Older Adults (07/01/2010)
• AGS Releases Guideline for Prevention of Falls in Older Persons [Practice Guidelines] (07/01/2010)

Home Care

• House Calls (04/15/2011)
• Therapeutic Home Adaptations for Older Adults with Disabilities (11/01/2009)
• The Home Visit (10/01/1999)
• Home Health Care (11/01/1998)

Nursing Home Care

• Nursing Home Care: Part I. Principles and Pitfalls of Practice (05/15/2010)
• Nursing Home Care: Part II. Clinical Aspects (05/15/2010)
• Pressure Ulcers: Prevention, Evaluation, and Management (11/15/2008)
• Pneumonia in Older Residents of Long-Term Care Facilities (10/15/2004)

Oral Health

• Common Oral Conditions in Older Persons (10/01/2008)

Polypharmacy

• Appropriate Use of Polypharmacy for Older Patients [Cochrane for Clinicians] (04/01/2013)
• Reducing the Risk of Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults (03/01/2013)

Vision Loss

• Vision Loss in Older Persons (06/01/2009)

Caregivers

• Caregiver Care (06/01/2011)

Hearing Loss

• Caring for Older Patients Who Have Significant Hearing Loss [Curbside Consultation] (03/01/2013)
• Hearing Loss in Older Adults (06/15/2012)

Improving Practice

From Family Practice Management

AAFP's Journal of Practice Improvement

• Is Your Medicare Payer Playing by the Rules? (07/01/2010)
• Documenting History in Compliance with Medicare's Guidelines (03/01/2010)
• New Year, New Medicare Preventive Coverage (01/01/2009)

Patient Education, Self-Care

• Adverse Drug Events in Older Adults: How to Avoid Them (03/01/2013)
• Tips for Preventing Falls (12/01/2011)
• Using Canes and Walkers (08/15/2011)
• Help for Caregivers (06/01/2011)

From FamilyDoctor.org

AAFP's Consumer Education Resource

• Seniors

Other AFP Content

• Refocusing Geriatricians' Role in Training to Improve Care for Older Adults [Graham Center Policy One-Pagers] (01/01/2012)
• Family Physicians' Present and Future Role in Caring for Older Patients [Graham Center Policy One-Pagers] (11/15/2009)

Other Resources from AAFP

• METRIC Geriatrics Module