General Medicine · Jaipur Hospital
Geriatric Medicine in Jaipur
Managing multiple medicines and health issues gets harder with age. We offer clear assessment and a coordinated plan.
- Serving Jaipur since 1991 (35 years)
- NABH accredited
- 24×7 emergency & ICU
- Cashless: RGHS, MAA Yojana, CGHS + 22 insurers
- Session length
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Anaesthesia
- Not needed
- Recovery
- Ongoing chronic disease management
- Price
- ₹1,500 to ₹3,500 per consultation₹10,000 to ₹25,000 for comprehensive assessment packagetypical range in India; ask us for an estimate
Health feels harder to manage
You are juggling many medicines and appointments, and things still slip through the cracks
Multiple chronic conditions mean many pills, different doctors, and conflicting advice. Falls, memory lapses, and weight loss often go unnoticed until a crisis hits.
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Too many pills
Polypharmacy is common with multimorbidity and increases the risk of adverse drug events.
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Falls and weakness
Sarcopenia reduces mobility and can lead to fall-related injuries needing hospitalisation.
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Memory worries
Cognitive changes may be missed in routine visits focused on single diseases.
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Care feels fragmented
Different specialists treat single conditions without a unified view of function and social needs.
Comprehensive geriatric assessment is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process that creates a coordinated care plan for vulnerable older adults.
Why Jaipur Hospital
You worry that a fall, a missed dose, or a sudden confusion will land your parent in the emergency ward at night.
Your care plan
Your first steps with us
- 1 Call or visit to book a geriatric consultation
- 2 Complete comprehensive assessment with our team
- 3 Receive a coordinated care and medication plan
- 4 Attend regular follow-ups for monitoring and adjustment
How the assessment works
A typical consultation lasts 45 to 60 minutes. The team evaluates medical, functional, cognitive, nutritional, and social domains to build an integrated plan.
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Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA)
Functional, cognitive, nutritional, and social evaluation to create a problem list and goal-driven interventions.
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Polypharmacy Review
Deprescribing inappropriate medications and reducing pill burden using validated tools like Beers, STOPP, and START criteria.
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Fall Risk Assessment
Gait, balance, bone health, and home safety modification advice to reduce fall-related injuries.
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Memory Clinic Evaluation
Screening for dementia and mild cognitive impairment with workup for reversible causes.
Why patients trust us
- 1991 Serving Jaipur for 35 years
- NABH Accredited hospital
- 1 General Medicine consultants
- 24×7 Emergency, ICU and ambulance
- 25 Cashless schemes and insurers
What research shows about comprehensive geriatric assessment
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Odds ratio 0.76 for death or functional decline at 6 months
A Cochrane review of 29 trials found hospitalised older adults receiving CGA were more likely to be alive and at home at 12 months.
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Odds ratio 1.31 for being alive and at home at 6 months
Ward-based CGA increased the chance of living at home compared to usual care in a large meta-analysis.
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Prevalence of sarcopenia 1 to 29% in community-dwelling older adults
Sarcopenia varies by definition and region but affects a significant proportion of older people, increasing fall and disability risk.
If it is left untreated
Without a coordinated review, inappropriate medications continue, fall risks stay unaddressed, and reversible causes of memory loss or weight loss are missed, leading to preventable hospitalisations and loss of independence.
Life after a comprehensive geriatric assessment
Most people get a clearer medication list, a fall-prevention plan, and a single point of contact for ongoing health decisions.
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Simpler medication routine
Fewer pills, clearer timing, and reduced risk of interactions after deprescribing review.
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Safer movement at home
Balance exercises, home modifications, and bone health checks lower fall risk.
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Memory and mood monitored
Regular cognitive screening catches changes early for timely support.
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One coordinated plan
A case manager ensures goals, responsibilities, and review timelines are clear for you and your family.
Frequently asked questions
Questions patients ask about geriatric medicine
Which problems are assessed under geriatric medicine?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, geriatric medicine covers a wide range of age-related problems through Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. The evaluation looks at medical conditions, functional ability, cognition, mood, nutrition, and social support. It also reviews all medicines to reduce pill burden and checks for fall risk, memory changes, and continence issues. This broad approach helps create a coordinated care plan for older adults.
In detail
Evidence shows that Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process addressing medical, psychological, and functional needs. The core domains include functional status, comorbidity, cognition, mental health, fatigue, social support, and nutrition.
Polypharmacy review uses tools like Beers, STOPP, and START criteria to identify inappropriate medications and prescribing omissions. Fall risk assessment evaluates gait, balance, bone health, and home safety. Memory clinic evaluation screens for dementia and reversible causes. This structured approach detects impairments missed in routine visits and leads to goal-driven interventions.
A common belief
Many people think it is just a regular check-up.
What actually happens
But a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment uses standard tools and a team approach to find hidden issues like medication side effects or early memory changes that a short visit misses.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Your first step is to book a consultation at Jaipur Hospital. The session lasts 45 to 60 minutes and costs ₹1,500 to ₹3,500. A comprehensive assessment package ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
Bring all current medicines, recent reports, and an attendant who knows your daily routine. The team will then plan any needed tests and follow-up visits. Please call us to schedule your appointment.
How will the doctor decide which tests I need?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, the geriatric consultant selects tests based on your Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment findings. The doctor considers your symptoms, medical history, medication list, and screening results for cognition, nutrition, fall risk, and organ function. Tests are tailored to your goals of care and life expectancy, avoiding unnecessary investigations while targeting treatable conditions.
In detail
Evidence supports individualised testing guided by assessment domains. Routine panels often include haemogram, fasting blood sugar, renal and lipid profiles, liver function, urine routine, ECG, and chest X-ray. For diabetics, post-prandial sugar and HbA1c are added.
Advanced tests like TSH, DEXA scan, calcium, PSA, or mammogram are ordered based on specific risk factors. The USPSTF advises cognitive assessment when impairment is suspected. Hearing and vision tests are done if concerns are raised. This targeted approach prevents over-testing and focuses on reversible causes.
A common belief
Some clinics run the same big panel on every older patient.
What actually happens
But guidelines recommend testing only when a screening question or examination finding suggests a problem. This avoids unnecessary needles, cost, and anxiety while still catching treatable issues like anaemia, thyroid disease, or vitamin deficiency.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
The doctor will explain which tests are recommended and why. Many blood tests need overnight fasting. The in-house laboratory provides same-day results for common panels. After results are available, a follow-up visit reviews findings and updates your care plan.
How soon should I expect improvement after the chosen geriatric treatment?
In short
Improvement timelines vary because geriatric care at Jaipur Hospital focuses on ongoing chronic disease management rather than a single heal. Medication changes from a polypharmacy review may show effects within weeks. Exercise and nutrition plans for sarcopenia or frailty typically need months. Cognitive and functional goals are reviewed regularly over time.
In detail
Evidence indicates that comprehensive geriatric assessment leads to better independence and lower mortality at 6 to 12 months. Exercise interventions improve muscle strength and physical performance, though muscle mass gains are inconsistent.
Essential amino acids with leucine and HMB supplements show some effect on muscle outcomes in studies. Deprescribing inappropriate medications reduces adverse drug events. Benefits accumulate through coordinated, iterative care plans with regular monitoring and revision.
A common belief
People often expect quick fixes like with an antibiotic.
What actually happens
Geriatric care is different: it manages multiple long-term conditions together. The evidence shows meaningful gains in independence and survival appear at 6 to 12 months with consistent, coordinated care.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Your geriatrician will set realistic goals and review progress at follow-up visits, usually every 1 to 3 months. The comprehensive assessment package includes a baseline and a plan for ongoing review. You can schedule a consultation at Jaipur Hospital to discuss expected timelines for your specific conditions.
Could several medical conditions or medicines be contributing to the problem?
In short
Yes, multiple medical conditions and polypharmacy are common contributors to new or worsening symptoms in older adults. At Jaipur Hospital, the geriatric team routinely performs a comprehensive assessment and a structured polypharmacy review to identify interactions, inappropriate prescriptions, and prescribing omissions that may be driving the problem.
In detail
Polypharmacy, often defined as five or more regular medicines, affects a large proportion of older people with multimorbidity. The Beers criteria, STOPP, and START tools are used to flag potentially inappropriate medications, harmful combinations, and missing evidence-based treatments.
Evidence shows that a thorough medication review reduces adverse drug events, hospital admissions, and mortality. The assessment also evaluates how conditions like heart failure, renal impairment, depression, or cognitive impairment interact with each other and with the drug regimen.
Deprescribing is done stepwise, monitoring for withdrawal or return of symptoms. The team considers the patient's goals, life expectancy, and ability to adhere to the regimen when deciding which medicines to continue, reduce, or stop.
A common belief
Patients often assume each specialist manages their own medicines, but no one checks the whole list.
What actually happens
A geriatric polypharmacy review looks at the complete picture, not just individual prescriptions.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Bring every medicine, supplement, and herbal product you take to the consultation, ideally in the original packaging. The review takes 45 to 60 minutes and costs ₹1,500 to ₹3,500. A written medication plan with dose timings and monitoring dates will be provided.
How can I decide whether to seek advice about elderly multimorbidity?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, a geriatric consultation helps you decide if multimorbidity needs specialist input. The session lasts 45 to 60 minutes and evaluates medical, functional, cognitive and social domains. You should consider advice when multiple conditions affect daily life, cause frequent hospital visits or create confusing symptom patterns.
In detail
Multimorbidity is common in older adults and increases vulnerability to disability and reduced quality of life. The Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) process systematically evaluates frail older persons through data gathering, team discussion, treatment planning, implementation and monitoring.
Core domains include functional status, comorbidity, cognition, mental health, fatigue, social support and nutrition. Triggers for assessment include multimorbidity itself, cognitive or functional changes, frailty, medication non-adherence, polypharmacy, care transitions, unexplained weight loss and family safety concerns.
In studies, hospitalised older adults receiving CGA were more likely to be alive and in their own homes at 12 months. The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit incorporates key geriatric assessment elements, showing the value of structured evaluation.
A common belief
People often wait for a crisis before seeking help.
What actually happens
Evidence shows that triggers like frequent hospital visits, new confusion, weight loss or family worry signal the need for Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment. Early structured evaluation leads to better coordination, fewer adverse drug events and more time at home.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
List all current diagnoses, medicines, recent hospitalisations and functional changes. Note any weight loss, falls, memory concerns or mood shifts. Book a geriatric consultation at Jaipur Hospital for a comprehensive review. The team will prioritise problems, coordinate care and create an integrated plan. Call 0141-2551500 to schedule.
Could several medical conditions or medicines be contributing to my symptoms?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, a geriatric consultation evaluates how multiple conditions and medicines interact to produce symptoms. The 45-to-60-minute assessment covers medical, functional, cognitive and medication domains. Yes, multimorbidity and polypharmacy often create overlapping symptoms that a single-disease approach misses.
In detail
Older adults with multiple chronic illnesses are vulnerable to disability and diminished quality of life. Polypharmacy — commonly five or more medications — is frequent in multimorbidity.
A thorough medication review identifies drugs that are underprescribed, used incorrectly or inappropriate, considering adherence ability, treatment goals and time-to-benefit relative to life expectancy. The Beers, STOPP and START criteria flag potentially inappropriate prescribing and omissions.
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is multidimensional and interdisciplinary, producing problem lists and goal-driven interventions that address interactions. In studies, hospitalised older adults receiving CGA were more likely to be alive and at home at 12 months. Medication appropriateness indices remind us that harm comes from both unnecessary prescriptions and omission of evidence-based treatments.
A common belief
Patients often see different specialists for each condition, and no one reviews the full picture.
What actually happens
Evidence shows polypharmacy — often five or more drugs — and multimorbidity create cumulative side effects like falls, confusion and fatigue. A structured medication review using Beers, STOPP and START criteria deprescribes harmful drugs and adds missing ones, improving overall function.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Prepare a complete list of all diagnoses, current medicines (including over-the-counter and supplements), recent symptom changes and functional limitations. Book a geriatric consultation at Jaipur Hospital for a comprehensive evaluation. The team will untangle condition-medication interactions and create a prioritised plan. Call 0141-2551500 to schedule.
Which symptoms should prompt me to see a geriatric specialist?
In short
You should consider a geriatric consultation at Jaipur Hospital if you notice unintentional weight loss of five percent or more in six months, frequent falls or unsteadiness, memory lapses that affect daily tasks, new difficulty managing medicines, or changes in mood such as apathy or withdrawal. Multiple chronic conditions, difficulty with daily activities, or family concerns about safety are also clear reasons to seek a specialist review.
In detail
Guidelines highlight triggers such as multimorbidity, cognitive changes, functional decline, frailty, fall risk, medication nonadherence, polypharmacy, care transitions, unexplained weight loss, and family safety concerns. Weight loss of five percent or more in six months or low BMI warrants nutritional evaluation.
Depression in older adults often presents atypically as apathy, weight loss, or cognitive impairment. Polypharmacy, commonly defined as five or more medications, increases the risk of adverse drug events and prescribing errors. Early assessment can detect reversible causes and prevent functional decline.
A common belief
Families often dismiss these as just getting old.
What actually happens
But weight loss, falls, and memory slips can signal treatable problems like medication side effects, thyroid issues, or early dementia. A geriatric review finds these reversible causes early.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
If you or your attendant notice any of these signs, book a consultation at Jaipur Hospital. The 45 to 60 minute session allows time for a thorough review. Bring a list of all medicines, recent blood reports, and a family member who knows your routine. The doctor will decide if a comprehensive assessment package is needed. Call us to arrange a suitable time.
How will the results change my care plan?
In short
At Jaipur Hospital, test results directly shape your individualised care plan. Abnormal findings such as anaemia, kidney impairment, thyroid disorder, uncontrolled diabetes, or low vitamin levels trigger specific treatments or referrals. Medication doses are adjusted for kidney function. Fall risk results may lead to physiotherapy, bone health medication, or home safety advice. Cognitive screening outcomes guide memory clinic referral or reversible cause workup.
In detail
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment produces problem lists and goal-driven interventions. Results inform deprescribing using Beers, STOPP, and START criteria. Nutritional deficits prompt dietary counselling and supplement review rather than routine appetite stimulants. Sarcopenia findings support resistance exercise and protein optimisation.
Depression scores above threshold lead to PHQ-9 and treatment planning. Bone density results guide fracture prevention. The care plan is iterative, with regular review against stated goals. A case manager coordinates the multidisciplinary plan with explicit timelines.
A common belief
Patients sometimes expect a single pill to fix everything.
What actually happens
Geriatric care uses each result to adjust multiple parts of your plan, medicines, exercise, nutrition, and home safety together. The plan is reviewed regularly, not set once and forgotten.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
After your tests, the doctor will discuss results and update your plan at a follow-up visit. Changes may include new medicines, stopped medicines, physiotherapy referral, diet advice, or specialist opinion. The team reviews progress at agreed intervals.
What should I do if symptoms persist or worsen after starting geriatric care?
In short
If symptoms persist or worsen, contact the geriatric team at Jaipur Hospital without waiting for the next scheduled appointment. The care plan includes clear guidance on when to seek urgent review, such as new confusion, a fall with injury, sudden breathlessness, or a change in medication side effects.
In detail
Older adults can deteriorate quickly because of reduced physiological reserve and multiple comorbidities. The comprehensive geriatric assessment creates a problem list with action thresholds for each issue. For example, a drop in oral intake or new incontinence may signal an infection or medication toxicity.
The team uses structured tools like the PHQ-2 for mood, the STOPP/START criteria for prescribing, and functional scales to detect early decline. If you notice a change, call the hospital or visit the emergency department, which operates 24×7.
Bring the current medicine list, the CGA summary, and any recent investigation reports. The attending doctor will liaise with your geriatric consultant to decide whether the plan needs adjustment, a new investigation, or a short admission for stabilisation.
A common belief
Families often hesitate, hoping the problem will settle.
What actually happens
In older adults, a small change can signal a serious issue like infection or drug toxicity. Early action prevents a crisis and a prolonged hospital stay.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Keep the hospital's phone numbers handy: 0141-2551500, 0141-2554139, +91-7414-001-001. Do not stop or change any prescribed medicine on your own. If you are unsure whether a change is urgent, call the OPD nursing station for triage advice.
How can treatment be adapted for frailty, memory problems, or reduced mobility?
In short
Treatment plans at Jaipur Hospital are individually tailored to accommodate frailty, cognitive impairment, and mobility limitations. The comprehensive geriatric assessment measures each domain using validated tools, and the interdisciplinary team designs interventions that match the patient's capacity, goals, and support system.
In detail
For frailty, the focus is on preserving function through graded exercise, nutritional optimisation, and reducing pill burden. Evidence supports supervised resistance exercise and protein supplementation to improve muscle strength. For memory problems, the team simplifies medication regimens using once-daily dosing, blister packs, and caregiver supervision.
Non-drug strategies for behavioural symptoms are tried first. Cholinesterase inhibitors are considered only when indicated and monitored for side effects. For reduced mobility, physiotherapists prescribe assistive devices, home hazard modification, and balance training.
Fall risk is assessed with a simple screening question and formal gait and balance tests. The care plan is communicated in writing to the patient and attendant, with clear goals and review dates. All adaptations are revisited at each follow-up because functional status can change rapidly.
A common belief
Standard disease-focused care often ignores these limitations, leading to missed doses, falls, and distress.
What actually happens
Geriatric adaptation puts function and safety first, not just disease targets.
Your next step at Jaipur Hospital
Ask the consultant for a one-page care summary that lists adapted doses, exercise instructions, and emergency contacts. Schedule a home visit by the occupational therapist if mobility or memory issues affect safety.
FAQ library
Questions and answers about geriatric medicine
When you contact us
Get your comprehensive geriatric assessment
Contact Jaipur Hospital to book a consultation and start a coordinated care plan for yourself or your loved one.
- A consultation with a physician (internal medicine) in the OPD
- Your scans and reports reviewed, with tests done in-house if you need them (laboratory, X-ray and imaging)
- Your options explained in plain words, including whether you need surgery at all
- A cost estimate before you decide
- Help with cashless treatment under RGHS, MAA Yojana, CGHS and empanelled insurers and TPAs
- Follow-up visits after your treatment
Overview
Geriatric Medicine: what to know
What geriatric medicine covers
- Functional status
- Ability to do daily tasks
- Comorbidities
- Other health conditions you have
- Cognition
- Memory and thinking skills
- Mental health
- Mood and emotional wellbeing
- Fatigue
- Level of tiredness and energy
- Social support
- Help from family or carers
Geriatric medicine is a branch of care that focuses on the health needs of older adults, usually people aged 60 years and above. It looks at the whole person rather than a single disease. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process that evaluates medical, psychological, and functional abilities to create a coordinated care plan.
It gathers information on:
- Functional status
- Comorbidities
- Cognition
- Mental health
- Fatigue
- Social support
- Nutrition
The assessment produces a problem list and develops goal-driven interventions. It also provides and coordinates an integrated plan for treatment, rehabilitation, support, and long-term care. At Jaipur Hospital, a consultation typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes and does not need anaesthesia. Care is usually outpatient, with admission only if an acute illness develops.
The typical price range for a consultation is ₹1,500 to ₹3,500, and a comprehensive assessment package usually costs ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
Symptoms and warning signs that need urgent care the same day
- Unintentional weight loss 5% or more of body weight in six months or low BMI
- Falls or fear of falling Includes a single screening question about falls in the past year
- Sudden confusion New onset confusion needs urgent evaluation
- New difficulty with usual activities Sudden change in ability to do daily tasks
- Not passing urine for many hours Urinary retention requires immediate attention
- Vision problems Sudden loss of sight or eye pain
Older adults often present with atypical symptoms.
Depression may show as:
- Apathy
- Weight loss
- Cognitive impairment such as answering questions with "I don't know"
Unintentional weight loss of 5% or more of body weight in six months or a low body mass index (BMI) signals poor nutrition and needs evaluation. Falls or a fear of falling, sudden confusion, new difficulty with usual activities, and not passing urine for many hours are reasons to seek care the same day.
Vision problems such as sudden loss of sight or eye pain, and chest pain or breathlessness also need immediate attention. A single screening question — "Have you fallen in the past year?" — helps identify fall risk. Urinary incontinence can impair quality of life and is assessed with a brief two-question tool.
Hearing loss affects more than 80% of adults older than 80 years, yet only 10% to 20% use hearing aids. Vision loss affects 12% of those aged 65 to 74 and 15% of those 75 and older. These sensory deficits increase the risk of falls, isolation, and cognitive decline.
Causes and who is at higher risk
- 1% to 29% Sarcopenia in community-dwelling older adults
- up to 33% Sarcopenia in long-term care settings
- five or more daily medications Polypharmacy definition
Ageing brings a progressive loss of motoneurons, which reduces muscle fibre number and size. Muscle function declines because the remaining motoneurons cannot fully compensate. At the cellular level, there are qualitative changes in muscle proteins and a loss of coordinated control between contractile, mitochondrial, and sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins.
These changes contribute to sarcopenia, a syndrome of progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that raises the risk of physical disability, poor quality of life, and death. Sarcopenia prevalence in community-dwelling older adults ranges from 1% to 29%, and up to 33% in long-term care settings.
Polypharmacy — commonly defined as five or more daily medications — is frequent in older people with multiple chronic conditions. It raises the risk of prescribing errors, adverse drug events, hospital-acquired infections, venous thromboembolism, and pressure ulcers. Harm also comes from omitting medications that evidence supports.
Triggers for a geriatric assessment include:
- Multimorbidity
- Cognitive or functional changes
- Frailty
- Fall risk
- Medication non-adherence
- Polypharmacy
- Care transitions
- Unexplained weight loss
- Family safety concerns
Geriatric assessment is generally less useful in terminal illness, advanced dementia, or complete functional dependence.
How geriatric medicine is diagnosed: examination and tests
Do
- Renal profile Urea, creatinine, uric acid
- Lipid profile Total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, HDL ratio
- Liver profile Total protein, albumin, globulin, SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, GGTP, bilirubin
Diagnosis starts with a comprehensive geriatric assessment that may be done over several visits. Clinicians may use standardised scales and tools, though the extent of standardisation depends on the setting. The core team typically involves a doctor, a nurse, an occupational therapist, a physiotherapist, and a social worker.
A case manager ensures the care plan states explicit goals, responsible parties, and a review timeline. The process is iterative, with regular review against goals and further multidisciplinary meetings as needed.
Common tests at Jaipur Hospital include:
- Haemogram (haemoglobin, packed cell volume, RBC count, total and differential WBC, platelet count, MCV, MCH, MCHC, ESR, and peripheral smear if needed)
- Fasting blood sugar, HbA1c and post-prandial blood sugar for diabetics
- Renal profile (urea, creatinine, uric acid)
- Lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, HDL ratio)
- Liver profile (total protein, albumin, globulin, SGPT, SGOT, alkaline phosphatase, GGTP, bilirubin)
- Urine routine, serum creatinine, resting ECG, chest X-ray (PA view), and ultrasound abdomen screening
Advanced tests may include:
- Pap smear for women
- TSH
- DEXA scan for bone density
- Serum calcium
- PSA for men
- Mammogram for women
Overnight fasting is required before blood tests. Assessments are usually done once a year or as advised by the doctor. Cognitive screening is recommended when impairment is suspected. Depression screening uses the two-item Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2); a score of 3 or more leads to the PHQ-9 for severity.
Fall risk, nutrition, hearing, vision, and urinary incontinence are screened with brief validated tools. Medication review uses Beers, STOPP, and START criteria to identify potentially inappropriate prescriptions and omissions.
Treatment options without surgery, and when surgery is advised
- Medication review and deprescribing Identify under-prescribed, incorrectly used, or inappropriate drugs to stop
- Improve adherence Use pillboxes, easy-open lids, blister packs, once-daily dosing, and pharmacist education
- Exercise for sarcopenia Supervised resistance exercise improves muscle strength and physical performance
- Fall prevention Gait and balance training, bone health assessment, and home safety modifications
Non-surgical management is the mainstay of geriatric care. A thorough medication review identifies drugs that are under-prescribed, used incorrectly, or inappropriate and should be stopped. Deprescribing reduces pill burden and adverse events.
Adherence is improved with:
- Pillboxes
- Easy-open lids
- Blister packs
- Once-daily dosing
- Pharmacist education
The Choosing Wisely Campaign recommends against appetite stimulants or high-calorie supplements because they lack proven benefit for long-term survival or quality of life. Instead, stop medications that cause weight loss, offer appealing foods, ensure social support, and give feeding assistance. For sarcopenia, supervised resistance exercise improves muscle strength and physical performance.
Essential amino acid supplements with about 2.5 g leucine, and HMB supplements, show some effects on muscle mass and function, but larger trials are needed. Combined exercise and nutrition interventions may have additive effects. Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acid supplements have not shown consistent benefit in intervention studies.
Fall prevention includes:
- Gait and balance training
- Bone health assessment
- Home safety modifications
Memory clinic evaluation screens for dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and reversible causes. Immunisations and advance care planning are integral parts of the care plan.
Surgery is not a primary treatment in geriatric medicine; it is advised only when a specific surgical condition arises, such as a hip fracture from a fall, cataract causing significant vision loss, or another acute issue that a surgeon evaluates separately. The geriatric team optimises medical fitness before any operation and coordinates post-operative rehabilitation.
Preparing for your geriatric medicine consultation at Jaipur Hospital
A consultation with our geriatric medicine team usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. No anaesthesia is needed. You will be seen as an outpatient unless an acute illness requires admission.
Bring a list of every medicine you take, including:
- Those bought without a prescription
- Supplements
- Any traditional remedies
If you have recent blood reports, imaging, or discharge summaries, carry those as well. An attendant who knows your daily routine and health changes is helpful. Fasting is not required for the consultation itself, but if blood tests are planned for the same day, overnight fasting may be needed. Wear comfortable clothing and footwear so that gait and balance can be assessed easily.
How the geriatric assessment is done at Jaipur Hospital
Our team uses a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA), which is a multidimensional, interdisciplinary process to create a coordinated care plan for vulnerable older adults by addressing their medical, psychological, and functional needs.
The assessment covers:
- Functional status
- Comorbidity
- Cognition
- Mental health
- Fatigue
- Social support
- Nutrition
A polypharmacy review is performed using tools such as the Beers criteria, STOPP, and START to identify potentially inappropriate medications and prescribing omissions. Fall risk is screened with a simple question about falls in the past year and, if needed, a detailed gait and balance evaluation. Cognitive screening is offered when impairment is suspected.
Mood is assessed with a brief two-item questionnaire (PHQ-2) when depression care supports are available. Nutritional status is checked for unintentional weight loss and low body mass index. Vision and hearing concerns are evaluated if you or your family raise them. Urinary incontinence is screened with a two-question tool.
The assessment may be completed in one visit or spread over several scheduled visits using structured templates. A case manager helps ensure the care plan states explicit goals, responsible parties, and a timeline for review. The plan is reviewed regularly and adjusted as needed.
Risks and possible complications of geriatric assessment
A geriatric assessment is a clinical evaluation, not a surgical procedure, so it does not carry operative risks. The main limitations are that it can be time-intensive and may not be as useful in patients with terminal illness, advanced dementia, or complete functional dependence.
In some cases, screening tests can lead to further investigations that may cause anxiety or incidental findings. Medication changes made during a polypharmacy review carry a small risk of withdrawal effects or return of symptoms; your doctor will discuss any changes with you before they are made.
Polypharmacy itself is associated with:
- Prescribing errors
- Adverse drug events
- Higher rates of hospital-acquired complications in older adults
The assessment aims to reduce these risks by optimising your medication list.
Recovery and aftercare after geriatric assessment
There is no recovery period after the assessment itself. You can resume your usual activities immediately.
The outcome is a written care plan that may include:
- Medication adjustments
- Referrals for physiotherapy
- Dietary advice
- Home safety modifications
- Follow-up with other specialists
Your surgeon or physician will advise which techniques suit you, such as supervised resistance exercise for sarcopenia or specific nutritional supplements like essential amino acids with leucine or HMB that have shown some effects on muscle mass and function in studies. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor progress against the goals set in the care plan.
If you notice new symptoms, a fall, confusion, sudden weight loss, or side effects from any medication change, contact the hospital or your attending doctor promptly. The assessment is an iterative process; regular review ensures the plan stays aligned with your needs.
Results of geriatric assessment in studies
In studies, comprehensive geriatric assessment has shown significant benefits. A meta-analysis of 29 trials found that hospitalised older adults treated by a CGA team were more likely to be alive and in their own homes 12 months after hospitalisation.
Other reviews reported reduced mortality at 6 months (odds ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.61–0.88) and a significant reduction in death or functional decline at 6 months (odds ratio 0.76, 95% CI 0.64–0.90). Patients assessed on a geriatric ward had a higher chance of being alive and at home at 6 months (odds ratio 1.31, 95% CI 1.15–1.49).
CGA can lead to early recognition of problems that impair quality of life and identify areas for focused intervention. A rolling assessment over several visits can effectively identify subtle or hidden problems. Exercise interventions in studies improve muscle strength and physical performance, though they do not consistently increase muscle mass in frail, sedentary, community-dwelling older individuals.
Nutritional supplements such as essential amino acids with leucine and HMB show some effects on muscle outcomes that need confirmation in larger trials. These results come from groups of patients in research settings; individual outcomes vary.
Cost and insurance for geriatric medicine at Jaipur Hospital
A typical consultation costs ₹1,500 to ₹3,500. A comprehensive assessment package ranges from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000. The final amount depends on the number of investigations, the need for specialist referrals, and whether any advanced tests such as DEXA scan, thyroid function, or cancer screening are included. Jaipur Hospital is a NABH-accredited multispeciality hospital.
We accept:
- RGHS
- MAA Yojana
- CGHS
- A panel of private insurers and TPAs
Please ask our team for an estimate based on your specific needs.