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Updated: May 18, 2026
08:56
Clinical Assessment of Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Patients and Older Adults
Published on: November 7, 2014
Diagnostic challenges in the older patient.
1Director of Diagnosis and Radiology, Palmer College of Chiropractic, 1000 Brady Street, 52803, Davenport, IA, USA. lisa.killinger@palmer.edu.
Chiropractic & Manual Therapies
|September 7, 2012
Summary
Caring for older patients requires understanding age-related changes and complex factors like polypharmacy and cognitive issues. This case-based approach highlights diagnostic challenges in geriatric care.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Internal Medicine
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Older adults present complex medical histories with frequent co-morbidities.
- Healthcare professionals need to understand age-related physiological changes.
- Diagnostic processes in the elderly are often complicated by multifactorial elements.
Discussion:
- Polypharmacy presents significant challenges in medication management and adverse event prevention.
- Cognitive impairments, including delirium, dementia, and depression, complicate accurate diagnosis.
- Increased prevalence of pathologies and chronic illnesses requires comprehensive assessment.
Key Insights:
- A case-based approach effectively illustrates diagnostic complexities in geriatric patients.
- Addressing polypharmacy, cognitive issues, and chronic conditions is crucial for effective care.
- Familiarity with age-related changes enhances diagnostic accuracy.
Outlook:
- Future research should focus on integrated care models for older adults.
- Developing standardized diagnostic protocols for geriatric syndromes is essential.
- Enhanced training for healthcare providers in geriatric medicine is recommended.
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