Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants
As people age, they accumulate medical conditions. Geriatric giants comprise a group of conditions that lead to significant mortality and morbidity and contribute to the complexity in treating geriatric patients. They are common and rarely occur in isolation. The 5 Is of geriatric giants are: iatrog...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
AOSIS
2019-12-01
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| Series: | South African Family Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5065 |
| _version_ | 1828733798796230656 |
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| author | L. Greenstein A. Abraham B. Tipping |
| author_facet | L. Greenstein A. Abraham B. Tipping |
| author_sort | L. Greenstein |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | As people age, they accumulate medical conditions. Geriatric giants comprise a group of conditions that lead to significant mortality and morbidity and contribute to the complexity in treating geriatric patients. They are common and rarely occur in isolation. The 5 Is of geriatric giants are: iatrogenesis, immobility, instability, incontinence and impaired cognition. Consequences for the patient and their caregivers include loss of functional independence, institutionalisation and caregiver burnout. Primary care practitioners are often the first port of call for geriatric patients in South Africa and by asking a few key questions and performing a thorough examination; these conditions can be recognised early. Whilst there are often limitations to cure, the main aim is to maintain the older adult’s functional independence as much as possible, and by following an organised management approach to each of these conditions, the quality of life of patients can be improved. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:36:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2cbfbd2430e64745b45c0973a2615c39 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2078-6190 2078-6204 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:36:59Z |
| publishDate | 2019-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | South African Family Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-2cbfbd2430e64745b45c0973a2615c392022-12-22T03:13:50ZengAOSISSouth African Family Practice2078-61902078-62042019-12-0161610.4102/safp.v61i6.50654007Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giantsL. Greenstein0A. Abraham1B. Tipping2University of the WitwatersrandDonald Gordon Medical Centre and Helen Joseph Hospital, University of the WitwatersrandDonald Gordon Medical Centre and Helen Joseph Hospital, University of the WitwatersrandAs people age, they accumulate medical conditions. Geriatric giants comprise a group of conditions that lead to significant mortality and morbidity and contribute to the complexity in treating geriatric patients. They are common and rarely occur in isolation. The 5 Is of geriatric giants are: iatrogenesis, immobility, instability, incontinence and impaired cognition. Consequences for the patient and their caregivers include loss of functional independence, institutionalisation and caregiver burnout. Primary care practitioners are often the first port of call for geriatric patients in South Africa and by asking a few key questions and performing a thorough examination; these conditions can be recognised early. Whilst there are often limitations to cure, the main aim is to maintain the older adult’s functional independence as much as possible, and by following an organised management approach to each of these conditions, the quality of life of patients can be improved.https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5065geriatric giantsiatrogenesisimmobilityinstabilityincontinenceimpaired cognition |
| spellingShingle | L. Greenstein A. Abraham B. Tipping Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants South African Family Practice geriatric giants iatrogenesis immobility instability incontinence impaired cognition |
| title | Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants |
| title_full | Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants |
| title_fullStr | Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants |
| title_full_unstemmed | Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants |
| title_short | Treating complexity in the older adult - the role of the geriatric giants |
| title_sort | treating complexity in the older adult the role of the geriatric giants |
| topic | geriatric giants iatrogenesis immobility instability incontinence impaired cognition |
| url | https://safpj.co.za/index.php/safpj/article/view/5065 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT lgreenstein treatingcomplexityintheolderadulttheroleofthegeriatricgiants AT aabraham treatingcomplexityintheolderadulttheroleofthegeriatricgiants AT btipping treatingcomplexityintheolderadulttheroleofthegeriatricgiants |