About GEROMAPPlataform
The world's population is aging, leading to a proportional increase in the number of older adults!
Since biological aging is associated with the decline of many functional abilities, it contributes to a higher risk of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) and complications from infectious and parasitic diseases. Therefore, providing qualified care to older adults requires a multidimensional assessment of the patient. In elderly care, the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is used for this purpose.
However, applying CGA within the Unified Health System's Healthcare Network (RAS-SUS) is challenging due to the limited number of professionals trained in gerontology.
To enhance the multidimensional assessment and follow-up of older adults, the Digital Health Center for the Elderly at the Open University for the Elderly Foundation's Polyclinic (FUnATI Telehealth Center) developed this innovative platform to support teleconsulting, teleconsultation, and telediagnosis activities for elderly patients.
The GEROMAP Platform enables the rapid assessment of functional and clinical-pharmacological indicators, telemonitoring of elderly patients, and technical-scientific support for RAS-SUS teams through e-learning resources and a digital library.
The world's population is aging, leading to a proportional increase in the number of older adults!
Since biological aging is associated with the decline of many functional abilities, it contributes to a higher risk of non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) and complications from infectious and parasitic diseases. Therefore, providing qualified care to older adults requires a multidimensional assessment of the patient. In elderly care, the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is used for this purpose.
However, applying CGA within the Unified Health System's Healthcare Network (RAS-SUS) is challenging due to the limited number of professionals trained in gerontology.
To enhance the multidimensional assessment and follow-up of older adults, the Digital Health Center for the Elderly at the Open University for the Elderly Foundation's Polyclinic (FUnATI Telehealth Center) developed this innovative platform to support teleconsulting, teleconsultation, and telediagnosis activities for elderly patients.
The GEROMAP Platform enables the rapid assessment of functional and clinical-pharmacological indicators, telemonitoring of elderly patients, and technical-scientific support for RAS-SUS teams through e-learning resources and a digital library.
How Does the GEROMAP Platform Work?
How Does the GEROMAP Platform Work?
The Heat-GEROMAP multidimensional assessment is organized into several essential dimensions, covering functional, clinical, and well-being aspects of older adults. This integrated structure enables healthcare professionals to quickly identify critical areas and plan personalized interventions to improve care quality. Below are the Main Dimensions of the Heat-GEROMAP
1. Clinical and Pharmacological History
Evaluates diagnosed diseases, smoking history, alcohol consumption, and medication use.
Example:Does the patient have cardiovascular or neurodegenerative diseases?
2. Special Care Needs
Identifies the use of assistive devices and specific care needs, such as enteral nutrition or treatment for pressure ulcers.
Example:Does the patient regularly use a wheelchair?
3. Self-Care and Activities of Daily Living
Assesses the ability to perform essential daily tasks, such as personal hygiene, eating, and financial management.
Example:Does the patient need help dressing or bathing?
4. Psychocognition
Evaluates issues related to memory, cognition, anxiety, depression, and changes in appetite or sleep.
Example:Can the patient remember three words mentioned earlier?
5. Nutritional Status
Monitors weight, BMI, and gastrointestinal or oro-digestive problems, such as chewing difficulties.
Example:Has the patient experienced significant weight loss without an apparent cause?
6. Mobility and Fine Motor Skills
Assesses mobility and coordination to perform specific tasks, helping prevent falls and fractures.
Example:Can the patient hold an object of the specified weight for one minute with each arm?
7. Medication and Polypharmacy
Verifies the use of multiple medications and identifies the presence of potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs).
Example:Is the patient taking five or more medications daily?
Heat Map Functionality
Each dimension is evaluated using a color-coded scale:
Green:Ideal condition, no issues
Yellow:Moderate condition, needs attention
Red:Critical condition, requires urgent intervention
The Heat-GEROMAP visualization provides a quick and intuitive overview of the patient's general condition. This allows the healthcare team to prioritize interventions and access additional resources, such as teleconsulting and diagnostic guidance, facilitating continuous care and follow-up for the patient.
Innovative Differential of the Heat-GEROMAP
The dimensions of the Heat-GEROMAP work together to provide a quick and comprehensive assessment of the functional and clinical status of elderly patients, enabling healthcare professionals to effectively tailor care plans and interventions.
It is important to emphasize that the Heat-GEROMAP is not a risk assessment tool.
The Heat-GEROMAP is a visualization tool that offers an overall view of the functional and clinical-pharmacological conditions of elderly patients. Its guiding questions are strongly supported by previously validated indicators from tools used in gerontology and geriatrics or from key aspects identified in the patient's anamnesis.