After seeking medical attention at the hospital, Grandpa Liu was diagnosed with geriatric syndrome.
What is geriatric syndrome?
Dai Wenxin, Director of the Geriatric Multidisciplinary Diagnosis and Treatment Center at Hainan Chengmei Hospital, explained that geriatric syndrome refers to a group of clinical syndromes or problems that are common in older adults, caused by a variety of diseases or factors. It is not a specific disease, but rather a collective term for a set of clinical syndromes unique to older people.
The common geriatric syndromes include falls, elderly dementia, urinary incontinence, syncope, delirium, insomnia, Parkinsons syndrome, depression, muscle atrophy, frailty, polypharmacy, chronic pain, and so on.
Moreover, the incidence and prevalence of geriatric syndromes increase with age. For example, the prevalence of elderly dementia is 2% to 7% in people aged 65 and above. With every 5 years of age increase, the prevalence doubles. In individuals aged 85 and above, the prevalence can reach as high as 40%. Currently, the elderly population in China is 250 million, indicating a significant number of elderly individuals who are affected by geriatric syndromes.
Harms of geriatric syndromes
Geriatric syndromes are often mistakenly perceived by patients, their families, and even some specialist physicians as "natural phenomena of aging" and are not given proper diagnosis and treatment. As a result, various geriatric issues can interplay and create a vicious cycle.
According to Dr. Dai Wenxin, various geriatric syndromes can cause significant harm. Chronic pain can lead to limited mobility, falls, fractures, and poor blood pressure and blood sugar control. It can also result in insomnia, anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Falls can cause fractures, and prolonged bed rest after a fall can lead to a series of complications.
Therefore, prevention, screening, and management of geriatric syndromes are particularly important. Effectively managing geriatric syndromes can improve the quality of life for older adults, increase their confidence and dignity, and also reduce healthcare costs by saving expenses on medical, rehabilitation, and caregiving services.
The key to managing geriatric syndromes
Geriatric syndromes are not ordinary diseases and cannot be solely treated with medication.
"Comprehensive geriatric assessment is the key to managing geriatric syndromes." Dr. Dai Wenxin explains that comprehensive geriatric assessment is a multidimensional interdisciplinary diagnostic process that utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate the physical health, functional status, mental health, and social condition of older adults. It aims to develop and implement preventive and treatment plans to protect their health and functional status.
Dr. Dai Wenxin emphasizes that comprehensive geriatric assessment is not just an evaluation, but also includes integrated diagnosis, treatment plans, rehabilitation therapy, nutritional guidance, and psychological counseling. All these components are indispensable for effective management.
Hainan Chengmei Hospitals Multidisciplinary Geriatric Medicine Clinic provides comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services for patients with geriatric syndromes. This one-stop approach takes into consideration patient compliance and treatment continuity. Through multidisciplinary comprehensive assessment and integrated management, the clinic assists patients in developing "comorbidity" management plans that minimize risks, maximize benefits, and are easily implementable. This ensures that diseases are treated while simultaneously maintaining the patients functionality to the greatest extent possible, thereby improving their quality of life.
Dr. Dai Wenxin specifically advises that for older adults experiencing fatigue, reduced walking speed, decreased strength, significant decline in memory, long-term sleep disorders, persistent and significant mood depression, decreased interest, and multiple medication use (taking 5 or more medications simultaneously), it is recommended to seek outpatient care at a multidisciplinary geriatric medicine clinic. A comprehensive geriatric assessment will be conducted to screen for geriatric syndromes and appropriate treatment and interventions will be provided for identified issues.
Multidisciplinary geriatric medicine clinic team of Hainan Chengmei Hospital
Text from Huang Fei