Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Case Studies in Asia

Challenge

Community-dwelling older persons with bio-psycho-social needs required better coordination between primary care and specialist services, leading to fragmented care and unnecessary hospitalizations.

Solution

Implemented an integrated program delivering frailty screening, comprehensive geriatric assessment, and coordinated care. The program uses propensity score matching to evaluate healthcare utilization outcomes among participants.

Results

• ▪634 GSH participants evaluated through rigorous propensity score-matched study
• ▪Increased use of primary care and specialist outpatient clinic visits
• ▪Reduced emergency department visits among participants
• ▪Better identification of previously unmet care needs through systematic screening
• ▪Established framework for community-based geriatric care coordination

Challenge

Singapore needed standardized assessment tools across its healthcare system to ensure consistent quality of care and enable data-driven policy decisions for its aging population.

Solution

Mandated interRAI instruments across the entire healthcare system, joining 35+ countries globally. The Geriatric Education and Research Institute (GERI) conducted extensive research and multi-regional validation studies.

Results

• ▪Standardized assessments implemented across all healthcare settings nationwide
• ▪531 Chinese caregivers across Hong Kong, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Singapore validated interRAI Chinese Self-reported Carer Needs (SCaN) assessment
• ▪Confirmed validity and reliability of interRAI Chinese SCaN tool through cross-regional collaboration
• ▪Enhanced data collection for evidence-based policy making across ASEAN region
• ▪Improved care continuity across different care settings

Challenge

High-risk frail older adults in the community required targeted interventions to prevent deterioration and reduce long-term care dependency. Need to connect isolated elderly with appropriate services.

Solution

Developed and evaluated a CGA service framework targeting frail older adults at high risk of requiring long-term care. 101 participants aged 65+ received comprehensive assessments and were referred to appropriate services based on individual health needs, with 6-month follow-up evaluations.

Results

• ▪99 participants (98.0%) needed support for instrumental activities of daily living
• ▪97 participants (96.0%) were categorized as having locomotive syndrome
• ▪63.4% showed depressive tendencies requiring intervention
• ▪Service utilization rate reached 34.9% with continued engagement
• ▪Significant improvements in health outcomes and quality of life after 6-month follow-up