The primary goal of the Geriatric Assessment Clinic
is to improve the quality of life for older adults and to keep
them independent for as long as possible. Anyone over the age
of 65 is eligible, and all major insurance providers are accepted.
Health assessments are strongly encouraged and may prevent a major
medical emergency.
The clinic helps seniors by working to improve their:
Ability to care for themselves
Ability to walk and move
Bowel/bladder function
Caregiver's stress level
Cognition
Diet
Medication use
Mental health
The Clinic's team is comprised of professionals
who receive special training in working with older adults and
their special needs. The team is led by a medical director certified
in gerontology and includes a certified gerontology nurse who
conducts a home visit, a social worker who does a psychosocial
assessment, and a pharmacist who completes a medication profile.
Each health care team member will meet with you,
your caregiver, and family. The evaluation includes:
Assess family concerns and financial needs
Assess self-care skills
Conduct a home assessment when possible
Evaluate memory skills
Individualized history and physical examination
Make further arrangements for diagnostic testing
if needed
Medication review
Mental health evaluation
Review all available medical records
To ensure enough time is scheduled for a complete
evaluation, please plan to spend between three and four hours
at the Clinic during your first visit. Your caregiver and family
are invited and encouraged to attend all Clinic visits.
After your first visit, specific recommendations
will be shared with your caregiver and family and your health
care provider. A follow-up visit may be necessary in order to
monitor the effects of the recommendations given by the Clinic.
The Clinic is held in the Specialty Clinics building
at 106 S. Madison Street, Traverse City, Michigan. To find out
if you or someone you know is eligible for the Geriatric Assessment
Clinic, call (231) 935-8127 or (231)
935-6650.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
