Approaching Neurological Diseases to Reduce Mobility Limitations in Older Persons

Fulvio      Lauretani; Gian   Paolo   Ceda; Pio      Pelliccioni; Livia      Ruffini; Anna      Nardelli; Antonio      Cherubini; Marcello      Maggio

doi:10.2174/13816128113196660687

Abstract

The rapidly increasing elderly population poses a major challenge for future health-care systems. Neurological diseases in older persons are particularly common and coexist with other clinical conditions.

This is not surprising given that, for example, even patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD) could have relevant extrapyramidal signs at the moment of the diagnosis with motor signs having more negative prognostic value. Longitudinal studies conducted on Parkinson Disease (PD) showed that, after 20 years, dementia is not only present in almost all survivors but is also the main factor influencing nursing home admission.

Recently, it has been reported the importance of Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA: comprehensive evaluation of cognition, depressive symptoms, mobility and functional assessment) as a tool reducing morbidity in frail older patients admitted to any acute hospital unit. The CGA should be considered as a technological device, for physicians who take care of older persons affected by overlapping neurological diseases. CGA is an extraordinary and cost effective instrument even in patients with advanced neurological diseases where allows to collect valuable information for an effective plan of management.

Keywords: Neurological disease, older persons, mobility limitations, parkinsonism.

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