Geriatric Medicine Clinic

Clients who meet the following criteria are considered eligible for GMC assessment:

• Over 65 or experiencing age related medical conditions, requiring specialist geriatrician and nursing assessment
• Experiencing cognitive changes to the level it is significantly affecting their ability to perform day-to-day function more consistent with moderate to advanced cognitive impairment.
• Episodes of delirium on a background of suspected cognitive changes
• Requiring assessment and management of Behaviors of Concern related to dementia
• Requiring commencement/review of medications associated with dementia such as cholinesterase inhibitors
• Requiring assessment and advice for Polypharmacy and medication mismanagement
• Frailty for assessment and management
• Functional decline affecting the client’s ability to remain safe and independent at home, such as; mobility/falls, incontinence, pain, unexplained weight loss, apathy and mood concerns

 **Clients must be living in the community or Supported Residential Service (SRS) and have the ability to attend a clinic based appointment 

Clients meeting the following criteria will be considered ineligible for GMC assessment:

• Undiagnosed mild/early cognitive changes – consider Cognitive Dementia and Memory Service (CDAMS) may be the more appropriate service.
• Clients under 50 years of age, consider a referral to Eastern Health’s Early Cognitive and Dementia Clinic [ECDC]
• Acute delirium, where urgent medical assessment is required.
• Requests for VCAT and Dementia /Cognitive Supplement reports
• Request for Psychiatric assessment and management
• Requiring case management -consider EH Hospital at Risk Program (HARP)/other services
• Requiring a Home-based assessment
• Living in permanent residential care

Clients who need more urgent assessment and are unable to safely remain in the community while waiting GMC assessment, consider an alternative ie GEM@Home.

Referrals to be made through the Community Access Unit