Geriatric Care Transitions: Addressing the Complex Needs of Older Adults.

Abstract

Care transitions among older adults are common and made more complex by multimorbidity, polypharmacy, frailty, and fragmented care. Transitions may be prompted by changes in clinical status, including the need for end-of-life care, or social status. Numerous interventions to predict, prevent, and improve care transitions for older adults have been tested. In this article, we will provide a high-level overview of common care transitions for older adults, reasons why an older adult may experience a care transition, outcomes specific to older adults, and proposed interventions.