Visit to Geriatric specialist

PcAngel

MY aunt is due to a geriatric assessment to find out if she can live on her own. We were told it could take 3 hours. What happens at these sessions?

Odysseus

I think you might get more answers in the HS forum. It that is ok with the mods there.

Dr Galen

tbh there is no simple answer here as depending on who is doing the testing, and in what dept there can be loads of stuff looked at.

I would guess that there will most likely be some/a lot of Occupational Therapy involvement with what you are talking about in relation to your aunt. They will be looking at functional tests, e.g. can she get up and down stairs for example, make tea, prepare food etc.

There might well be some medical involvement, but that really depends on the input from before etc.

Without knowing the details of your aunt ( and here really isn't the place for that type of thing anyway) it would be hard to say much more.

Odysseus

As noted above it really depends on your aunt's details. I was with my father on such a visit a few years ago, and it was just a general check up until I metioned his memory issues due to two conditions he had.

What was offered was a battery of tests to test his memory, but we where told it would take most of a full day. My dad refused he was afraid of the results he had a very strong fear of ending up in a home; thankfully cancer took him before that he ended up in that position.

However, it really does depend on whatever the reason for the referral was, and as noted above the reason for that maybe too personal or against the forum rules to post that. Just based upon my experience I would suggest that somebody goes with your aunt, they will not be allowed in during the consultation, but will be called in when that is finished if they ask at the start.

I say this due to the reasons I metioned about my own dad, as he basically lied through his teeth to the Dr. His memory issues where not seen as severe as they where until I was called in and explained the situation. It was then the memory tests when offered but as I said my dad did not want to do them; and your can't force treatment on anybody.

Anyway that's just my experience and I hope it goes well for your aunt.

drzhivago

PcAngel wrote: »

MY aunt is due to a geriatric assessment to find out if she can live on her own. We were told it could take 3 hours. What happens at these sessions?

Be reassured focus of geriatricians is to keep people independent and in their homes, they cant force someone to enter a nursing home and dont try

They do go into great detail to examine the person physically, mentally, socially and psychologically to make sure the person is safe and capable to live alone

My own gran went through this at 92 after a number of falls, last one left her on ground behind door and we had to get fire brigade to get into house

Focus was on how well she coped independently but how she would look for help if she needed it

PcAngel

Thanks ever so much. all your posts are reassuring. Your help is much appreciated.