Geriatric Patient Assessment Protocol for Chiropractic Care
Systematic geriatric assessment for safe, modified chiropractic treatment planning
What You Can Do
You can systematically evaluate geriatric patients using a structured protocol that identifies contraindications to spinal manipulation, screens for polypharmacy complications, assesses fall risk, and evaluates functional capacity. The skill guides you through clinical decision-making that prioritizes patient safety while maintaining appropriate treatment intensity for older adults with multiple comorbidities.
Features
identifies conditions that contraindicate or modify spinal manipulation (osteoporosis, vertebral fractures, anticoagulation therapy)
flags polypharmacy concerns and treatment interactions specific to geriatric populations
systematizes assessment of balance, proprioception, strength, and environmental factors affecting fall probability
measures activities of daily living (ADL) limitations and establishes realistic treatment goals focused on functional restoration
creates clinical decision rules for when to modify, defer, or refer geriatric patients
provides evidence-based adjustments to manipulation intensity, frequency, and technique for older adults
guides assessment and treatment planning for patients recovering from hospitalization or surgery
Example Output
Example 1: Osteoporosis Contraindication Screening
- Patient: 73-year-old female with recent DEXA scan showing T-score -2.8
- Assessment output: High-velocity low-amplitude (HVLA) manipulation contraindicated due to fracture risk; recommends gentle mobilization, therapeutic exercise, posture correction instead
Example 2: Medication-Treatment Interaction
- Patient: 68-year-old male on warfarin for atrial fibrillation, presents with cervical pain
- Assessment output: Anticoagulation therapy increases bleeding risk with cervical spine manipulation; suggests soft tissue therapy, modalities, and PT referral; flags need for physician coordination
Example 3: Fall Risk & Functional Goal-Setting
- Patient: 76-year-old with Timed Up and Go test = 14 seconds (high fall risk)
- Assessment output: Balance and strength deficits primary concern; treatment plan emphasizes proprioceptive training, core stability exercises, home safety modifications; pain management secondary
What's Included
- geriatric-patient-assessment-protocol.md: complete assessment framework with clinical decision trees
- Comorbidity screening checklist: 25+ age-related conditions requiring treatment modification
- Medication interaction matrix: common geriatric medications and chiropractic treatment implications
- Fall risk assessment tool: standardized evaluation including Timed Up and Go, balance testing, environmental factors
- Functional capacity evaluation template: ADL assessment and realistic goal-setting worksheet
- Treatment modification decision rules: when to modify intensity, technique, frequency, or refer
Who It's For
- Chiropractors treating patients 65+ and seeking evidence-based geriatric protocols
- Chiropractic clinic managers developing geriatric patient intake procedures
- Clinical supervisors training associates on age-appropriate assessment and treatment modification
- Rehabilitation specialists coordinating post-acute chiropractic care for older adults
- Multidisciplinary team members (PT, OT, physicians) collaborating on geriatric patient management
Best For
- Initial geriatric patient intake and history assessment
- Contraindication screening before recommending spinal manipulation
- Treatment plan modification when comorbidities change or medications are added
- Fall risk assessment and prevention strategy development
- Post-hospitalization or post-surgical rehabilitation planning for older adults
- Medication-treatment interaction checking for polypharmacy concerns
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