Enhancing Psychosocial Wellbeing in Older Adults: The Impact of Long-Term Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Programs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61978/curatio.v2i2.1399Keywords:
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment, Quality of Life, Older Adults, Meta-analysis, Multidisciplinary Care, Psychosocial Outcomes, Geriatric HealthcareAbstract
As global aging intensifies, improving quality of life (QoL) for older adults has become a central healthcare priority. This study evaluates the effectiveness of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) — a multidisciplinary intervention model — in enhancing QoL among frail inpatient older adults, drawing on a meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials comprising fifteen analyses. Using validated QoL instruments (SF-36 and EQ-5D) and Standardized Mean Differences (SMDs) computed via a random effects model, findings demonstrated a statistically significant overall QoL improvement (SMD = 0.09; 95% CI [0.01, 0.17]; p = 0.03) among those receiving CGA compared to usual care. Gains were most evident in vitality, social functioning, and mental health domains, while physical functioning showed limited improvement. Notably, long-term follow-ups exceeding three months produced more consistent and meaningful outcomes, underscoring the importance of follow-up duration in evaluating CGA effectiveness. The study further highlights that healthcare system integration, supportive policy frameworks, and contextual adaptation are critical to maximizing CGA impact. Key limitations include short study durations, methodological inconsistencies, and inadequate reporting of socioeconomic factors. Multidisciplinary CGA interventions yield measurable psychosocial benefits for older adults. Policymakers and healthcare providers are encouraged to standardize and scale CGA programs to advance eldercare quality. Future research should prioritize methodological rigor and explore the use of technology for real-time patient monitoring.
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