Problem
1) Emma Anderson is admitted to hospital after falling and breaking her hip. She is 86 years old and lives alone in the house where she and her husband raised their four children (an old cottage with several steps in the living area and kitchen). Her husband died three weeks ago. Her daughter, who found Mrs. Anderson lying on the floor, was not sure how long she had been there. On admission, Mrs. Anderson appears acutely confused. Blood tests revealed dehydration and anaemia. Her daughter explained that Mrs Anderson has type 2 diabetes (for which she takes daily metformin), heart failure (for which she takes blood pressure medication) and osteoporosis (for which she takes calcium tablets). She also takes laxatives for chronic constipation and pain medication for arthritic knee pain. Her daughter expresses concern about her mother's lack of appetite, recent weight loss and a foot ulcer that is not healing.
2) Mrs. Anderson is awaiting surgical review and the immediate focus of care is her hip fracture. Beyond her urgent care, she needs a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). You are responsible for conducting a CGA* for Mrs. Anderson. You ask yourself the following questions:
a) What are her care needs? How might they be interlinked?
2. How can her care needs be addressed?
3. Which members of the multidisciplinary team need to be involved?
4. What should her care plan include? What are the short- and long-term goals?