Using the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment

major difference between geriatric medicine and adult medicine is the emphasis on a holistic approach in the former. A holistic approach needs to be adopted by geriatricians mainly because of the complex medical history of elderly patients: older patients tend to have multiple organic, psychological, and social problems.1 Their functional and physiological capaci-ties are often diminished and the adverse effects of drugs are more pronounced. Atypical symptoms of common diseases often occur and physical illnesses may present as a mental disorder (eg delirium) or loss of a certain function. The concept of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) has evolved because of the many problems of elderly subjects.