Geriatric Assessment Program
As an older adult's medical issues grow more complex, the medical care and social needs connected to those issues can also become complex. Feelings impact health conditions, and strong feelings sometimes develop from losses, health conditions, and limited ability to live independently.
Our Geriatric Assessment Program is for older adults who want an evaluation of conditions that affect their health, memory, and/or independence. Our highly-trained team, whose expertise is in geriatric care, assess the medical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs of older adults.
Based on the assessment, recommendations are made to the patient and/or caregivers/family members. Gerontological counseling and support from a licensed, clinical social worker are offered for the patient and caregiver/family members. The Geriatric Assessment Program's "team approach" allows for a wholistic review of all health systems.
Who is on the Geriatric Assessment Team?
- Board-certified geriatric physician
- Licensed, clinical social worker
- Licensed nurse or medical assistant
- Family medicine and geriatric physicians-in-training
- Medical and pharmacy students
- Consulting pharmacists, as needed
Who is Eligible for an Assessment?
The Geriatric Assessment Program is for every older adult who has concerns about increased difficulties in performing activities of daily living or wishes to have a thorough review of typically geriatric conditions such as:
- Balance or falls (gait and mobility)
- Bladder control or bowel problems (incontinence, constipation, etc.)
- Vision
- Hearing
- Memory
- Mood (depression)
- Medication management
What Should I Expect?
Your appointment will include a thorough assessment and exam including:
- Nutritional assessment
- Functional status evaluation
- Gait and mobility assessment
- Incontinence screening
- Vision screening
- Hearing screening
- Memory evaluation
- Depression screening
- Medication evaluation
- Social needs assessment
Following your initial assessment, our team will either schedule a follow-up appointment or communicate your results to your primary care physician. If you do not already have a primary care physician, there are a number of highly-trained physicians we can refer you to at the Family Health Center.
How Much Does it Cost?
Costs are individualized based on the patient's needs. Community resources for transportation services and drug-payment options can also be discussed.
Please speak with the geriatric care coordinator for more information.
For insured patients, the amount of the co-payment or deductible is required. We accept:
- Medicare
- Medicaid and/or medipass
- HMO/PPO commercial insurance
*Physician must be listed as an approved provider for the insurance
For uninsured patients, self-payment is accepted through cash, check or credit.
What Do I Need to bring?
To get the most out of your visit, please bring:
- Your caregiver or a family member
- All of your medications in their original bottles. This includes:
- Prescriptions
- Over-the-counter medications
- Vitamins
- Herbal remedies
- The name, address, phone number and fax number of your primary care physician
- Records from your other physicians. This includes:
- Lab work
- X-ray reports
- Other test results
- Summaries of specialist office visits
*These suggested items to bring are highly recommended but are not required for an appointment.