Enhancing Care for Older Adults Living in Rural Areas Using an Evidence-Based Screening Tool to Recognize Geriatric...

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Health Services Research
• Preventive Medicine

Background:

• Older adults in rural areas face challenges accessing healthcare.
• Geriatric syndromes contribute to morbidity and mortality in this population.
• Effective screening tools are needed to improve care for rural elders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance healthcare access and quality for rural older adults.
• To decrease morbidity and mortality through process improvement.
• To implement and evaluate the Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) tool.

Main Methods:

• Implemented the evidence-based Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) as a routine screening.
• Utilized a patient-centered medical home model for rural older adults.
• Employed Z-testing to measure changes in geriatric syndromes post-RGA implementation.

Main Results:

• Approximately one-third of patients screened positive for at least one geriatric syndrome after RGA implementation.
• A significant 48% increase in advance directive implementation was observed.
• The RGA tool facilitated the identification of at-risk older adults.

Conclusions:

• The Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) is effective in identifying geriatric syndromes in rural older adults.
• Routine screening with RGA can lead to improved patient outcomes and advance care planning.
• Integrating RGA into routine practice supports targeted treatment plans for high-risk elders.