title: Comprehensive geriatric assessment of a mental health service user with safeguarding needs.
abstract: This is the final article in a short series that presents case study examples of the use of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in different clinical settings. CGA is a holistic model that is used to determine frail older people's medical and mental health status, as well as any functional, social and environmental issues that might affect their care. When undertaken by nurses, it can enable individualised planning for health, safety and wellbeing. This article explores the case of an older woman living in the community who was receiving support from a number of health and social care services and who had significant safeguarding needs. It highlights the complexity of caring for patients with physical and mental health conditions. CGA can link these conditions and needs together to allow a better understanding of their effects on the patient. The risks of significant transitions in care are also highlighted, along with recommendations for the provision of multidisciplinary care in community settings.
authors.affiliation: Older People's Mental Health Services, Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: North
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications; D004552:Elder Abuse; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D016743:Mental Competency; D020380:Needs Assessment; D061214:Patient Safety; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: community; comprehensive geriatric assessment; dementia; mental health; older people; safeguarding