Geriatric patients are at increased risk for a range of health complications due to age-related physiological changes, multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and functional decline. Key risk factors include cognitive impairment, impaired mobility, sensory deficits, poor nutrition, and social isolation, all of which contribute to higher rates of falls, hospitalization, and mortality (Clegg et al., 2013; Fried et al., 2001). Comprehensive geriatric assessment is essential to identify and mitigate these risks.

References:

• Clegg, A., Young, J., Iliffe, S., Rikkert, M. O., & Rockwood, K. (2013). Frailty in elderly people. The Lancet, 381(9868), 752–762. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)62167-9

• Fried, L. P., Tangen, C. M., Walston, J., et al. (2001). Frailty in older adults: evidence for a phenotype. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 56(3), M146–M157. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/56.3.m146