On one hand many of us feel that there is no work happening by the Govt in the Eldercare sector, but then, the reality is that there is a lot of good work happening at the National and State level.
Most of the work is happening behind the scenes, but unfortunately most people are either not aware or try to be oblivious to the great efforts.
One such area is Ayushman Bharat. The Govt had published an impressive Training Manual on Elderly Care, but then the Senior Citizens Care Homes are probably not equipped or concerned to read it.
The larger point of debate is not about the entire Training Manual, it is about a sub-chapter called “Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Tool”
Geriatric assessment is not only about going to the doctor to get a health checkup, it is something which impacts all of us including our parents.
Though there are numerous tools and formats available online but in short, Geriatric Assessment Tool is a checklist which doctors use to evaluate a person’s health and well-being.
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Tool is an interdisciplinary assessment for evaluating the medical, psychological, physical functions and socio-economic problems to detect unidentified and potentially reversible problems and develop a co-ordinated and integrated management plan for treatment and long-term care plan (Source: Physiopedia).
The sad part is, Ayushman Bharat which has developed such detailed guidelines and checklist but then the Care Staff or the medical fraternity are so stretched out for time that they are unable to do justice in most cases.
The document can be downloaded here (Geriatric Assessment Tool) or can be viewed below