Melbourne Geriatricians Group are committed to improving the quality of life and health of Aged Care Residents. We provide no fee (bulk billed) aged care specialist services including “Comprehensive Geriatric Assessments” (CGA).
A Geriatrician is a “Specialist Physician” with over 14 years hospital training to become (MBBS & FRACP) qualified.
Geriatricians all complete published research in various areas of aged health. Dementia and other cognitive conditions, Frailty, Multimorbidity, Medication & Pharmacology, Chronic Pain, Balance and Falls etc. are all areas of focus. They therefore provide the highest level of general clinical care to over 65’s.
All of Melbourne Geriatrician Group doctors are dual trained “General Physicians & Geriatricians” and acquired Fellowship of the “Royal Australasian College of Physicians”.
What is a “Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment” (CGA)?
A CGA is a multidimensional, “head to toe” physician performed, diagnostic assessment, to determine the medical, psychological and functional capabilities of a frail elderly person, as well as reviewing current treatment, medication review etc. This provides for the development of the highest level of immediate and long-term treatment and follow-up or a resident.
What are the benefits?
Aged Care residents have complex health care needs, many residents have multiple medical conditions requiring multiple medications and being under the care of both a GP & Geriatrician in concert, provides the highest level of general clinical care a resident can receive.
Information gained from a “CGA” allows clinicians to implement the highest quality of medication and clinical treatment plan available. Older people with frailty and multimorbidity, as well as impaired cognition, poor mobility, chronic pain and incontinence etc. (and there loved ones) benefit greatly from a “CGA” as it definitively diagnoses their conditions and provides an immediate and long term plan for there treatment, which can reduce functional decline, support independence, improve quality of life and ensure proper funding etc. is applied to the resident.
How often does a resident need one?
An initial assessment takes approx. 1-1.5 hours providing a “blue print” to the residents current clinical status, then a follow up is performed every 3-4 months (taking approx. 30 mins), to review status and any further diagnoses or treatment requirements.
What about the GP?
The GP is the primary care provider and is integral
to the going care. The GP’s management of a patient does not change, it is rather enhanced. Geriatricians work hand in hand with the GP providing them the information they need to better understand the personal needs of each patient and provide specialist input on the specific complex areas of medicine for the elderly.
