Beyond the 15-minute consult: the well older adult assessment guide

Most well 70-year-olds look stable - until they don’t. Falls, fractures, cognitive decline and loss of independence rarely begin with a crisis; they develop quietly in patients whose blood pressure and blood results appear “fine”.

In this practical, case-based session, Dr Cheryl Johnson presents a structured multidomain framework to help GPs detect early vulnerability in independent older adults. Attendees will learn targeted screening questions, brief functional assessments and examination tips that can be incorporated immediately into routine consultations - without extending appointment times.

Participants will leave able to:

• Identify early markers of functional, cognitive and medication-related risk.
• Integrate brief multidomain screening into everyday practice.
• Recognise which patients may benefit from comprehensive geriatric review.
• Understand referral pathways that support proactive ageing.

The session will also introduce Brightly, a private, specialist gerontology-led whole-of-person assessment model led by geriatricians and supported by experts across multiple domains of ageing. Brightly provides a structured preventative assessment, clear diagnostic and management reporting back to the GP, and coordinated multidisciplinary implementation support, offering an additional option for patients who would benefit from a deeper specialist review.