Comprehensive geriatric assessment

A thorough, whole-person assessment by a geriatrician and team that looks at an older person's health, thinking, daily living, medicines and home life together, then builds one shared plan.

✓ Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant · last reviewed September 2026 · next review September 2027 · how we review

In short

A CGA is a whole-person review by a geriatrician and team, looking at health, thinking, daily living, medicines and home life together — not one problem at a time.
It produces a shared care plan built around your own goals; it gathers information and plans, but does not treat anything by itself.
It usually takes a long appointment or several visits, and may involve more than one professional and letters to you and your GP.
It works best when you and the people who support you are involved throughout and the plan is reviewed and updated as things change.

A plain-English summary. The detail — including risks and recovery — is below.

At a glance

TypeWhole-person assessment of an older person's health and needs

AnaestheticNot needed

How long it takesOften a long appointment or several visits; may involve more than one professional

Hospital stayUsually outpatient or in your own home; also done on hospital wards

Time off workUsually none

When you'll see resultsA shared care plan is drawn up and explained, often with letters to you and your GP

On the NHS?Widely provided on the NHS; also offered privately for speed or a second opinion

A general guide. Your specialist will give you advice for your situation.

Best fit

Joins up several health problems into one clear picture rather than treating each in isolation

Pause if

A sudden, severe illness needing emergency or same-day assessment rather than a planned review.

Main recovery point

You answer questions, may be examined and have simple checks, and meet one or more members of the team. It can be tiring, so it is fine to ask for breaks...

Good aftercare

A clear written care plan, shared with the person and their GP, with a named owner for each action.

During the assessment

You answer questions, may be examined and have simple checks, and meet one or more members of the team. It can be...

Bringing it together

The team joins up the findings, often discussing them as a group, and works out suggestions with you based on what...

The plan

You are told what was found and what is suggested, including anything you can do yourself. A written plan or...

Acting on it

Changes such as medicine adjustments, exercises, equipment, referrals or extra support are set in motion. Some...

Medical line illustration of frailty, falls and mobility assessment for Comprehensive geriatric assessment. — Illustration only - not a diagnosis, medical advice or a promise of result. Your anatomy and treatment plan may differ. Vuemedics does not publish before-and-after photos.

What is a comprehensive geriatric assessment?

A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) is a careful, whole-person review of an older person's health and life, carried out by a geriatrician (a doctor who specialises in the health of older people) and a team that can include nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and social care staff. Rather than looking at one problem at a time, it looks at everything together: medical conditions, memory and mood, how you manage day to day, your medicines, and your home and support.

It is used when an older person has several health problems at once, is becoming frailer, is falling, is losing independence, or when it is hard to untangle what is causing a decline. The aim is not a single label but a clear, shared plan that fits your own goals — what matters most to you, and what would help you stay as well and independent as possible.

A CGA gathers and joins up information; on its own it does not treat anything. Its value comes from the plan it produces and whether that plan is acted on, reviewed and adjusted over time. It works best when you and the people who support you are involved throughout and the plan is built around what you want, not just around your test results.

Types, options & approaches

There may be different ways to do this. The right approach depends on the clinical question and your circumstances.

Physical and medical review

Goes through your medical conditions, frailty, nutrition, pain, continence, falls risk and how well long-term conditions are controlled, joined up rather than treated in isolation.

Thinking and mood (psychological)

Gently checks memory and concentration, looks for low mood or anxiety, and considers delirium (sudden confusion), which is common and often reversible in older people.

Function and daily living

Looks at walking and balance, washing, dressing, cooking and getting about, and at what help would keep you independent and safe.

Medicines review

A structured look at all your medicines to keep the ones helping you, and to consider safely reducing any that are no longer needed or may be doing harm — never stopping medicines without advice.

Social and home environment

Considers your support at home, any carer's needs, isolation, finances and whether your home is safe and suits you, as these strongly affect health and independence.

A CGA compared with a single specialist appointment

Feature	Comprehensive geriatric assessment	Single specialist appointment
Focus	The whole person and how problems interact	Usually one organ or condition
Who is involved	A geriatrician and a wider team	Usually one specialist
Medicines	All medicines reviewed together	Often only that specialty's medicines
Your goals	Central to the plan	May be narrower
Output	One joined-up care plan	Advice on that condition

A CGA does not replace specialist care; it helps make sense of several problems at once and pulls advice together into one plan that fits your priorities.

Preparing for your test

Bring all your medicines, or an up-to-date list, including patches, inhalers, eye drops, painkillers and anything bought without a prescription or as a supplement.
Write down what matters most to you and what you are hoping the assessment will help with, so your goals shape the plan.
Bring your glasses and hearing aids, as poor sight and hearing affect both safety and the assessment itself.
If possible, bring a relative, friend or carer who knows you well, as their account is genuinely useful.
Make a note of any recent falls, confusion, weight loss, or changes in memory, mood, sleep or appetite.
Bring details of your usual support at home, your GP, and any recent letters or test results.
Tell the team if you have any worries about your home, getting about, money or coping, as these are part of the picture.

What happens

A CGA usually starts with a long, unhurried conversation about your health, your medicines, how you manage day to day, your memory and mood, and your home and support. You may be examined, and simple checks such as blood pressure lying and standing, a short walk to look at your balance, and brief memory questions may be done. Blood tests or other tests are sometimes arranged.

More than one professional may be involved — for example a physiotherapist looking at your walking, an occupational therapist thinking about daily tasks and your home, or a pharmacist reviewing your medicines. This can happen in one longer appointment, over several visits, in a clinic, on a hospital ward, or in your own home.

The team then brings the findings together, often discussing them as a group, and works out a plan with you. You should be told what was found, what it means, and what is being suggested — including anything you can do yourself — with letters usually sent to you and your GP. A good assessment treats you with dignity, explains things in plain language and makes sure the plan reflects your own priorities, not just the medical findings.

Is this test right for me?

A good consultation should explore whether it's the right choice for you now — including reasons to wait or consider something else.

May not be suitable if…

A sudden, severe illness needing emergency or same-day assessment rather than a planned review.
A single, clearly defined problem that a relevant specialist can manage directly.
Situations where the person cannot, even with support, take part and there is no one able to represent their wishes — capacity and advocacy need addressing first.
As a substitute for treating an obvious acute problem such as infection, a fracture or delirium.

Delay or rearrange if…

The person is acutely unwell, delirious or has an untreated infection that should be dealt with first.
A recent hospital stay means the picture is still settling and a slightly later review would be more meaningful.
Key information — such as medicines, recent results or collateral history — is missing.
The person is too unwell or exhausted on the day to take part meaningfully.

Alternatives to discuss

A focused single-specialty review for one clearly defined problem.
A structured medication review alone if medicines are the main concern.
A falls, frailty or memory assessment if one specific issue dominates.
Watchful support and GP review if problems are mild and stable.
Community or social care assessment where the main needs are practical and at home.

Before you decide

Use this as a shared-decision checklist. The aim is not just “can this be done?”, but whether it is right for you, now, with the risks and alternatives clearly understood.

What matters most to me?

Think about symptoms, daily life, work, caring responsibilities, sport, fertility, travel, appearance and anxiety — the right choice depends on your priorities, not just the medical facts.

What are all my options?

Ask about waiting, monitoring, medicines, rehabilitation, a smaller or larger procedure, a different test, NHS referral, or a second opinion where that would help.

What would make me pause?

Active infection, pregnancy, unstable medical problems, smoking, medicines that increase bleeding, poor support at home, or feeling pressured are all reasons to slow down and get tailored advice.

What happens if I do nothing today?

For some problems, waiting is safe; for others, delay can make treatment harder. A good consultation should explain the trade-off in plain English.

Benefits

Joins up several health problems into one clear picture rather than treating each in isolation
Can uncover treatable or reversible problems that explain a decline, such as medicine side effects, infection, low mood or poor sight and hearing
Produces a shared plan built around your own goals and what matters to you
Reviews all your medicines together, keeping what helps and safely reducing what may harm
Can support staying independent at home and, in some settings, reduce the chance of moving into long-term care
Helps you and your family understand what is happening and what to expect

Risks & complications

More common

It takes time and energy, and several questions and visits can be tiring
Talking about memory, mood, coping or the future can feel sensitive or upsetting
Finding new or unexpected problems that you had not come about
Suggested changes — such as adjusting medicines or arranging help — may take time to set up

Less common

Tests done as part of the assessment may pick up minor findings that lead to further investigation
A plan that is made but not followed through if no one clearly owns the next steps
Feeling that decisions are being made about you rather than with you, if you are not properly involved

Rare but serious

False reassurance if the assessment is treated as a one-off rather than something to review as things change

A CGA is a conversation, examination and review, so it carries little physical risk. The main risks are that it is tiring, that sensitive topics arise, and — most importantly — that a good plan is made but not acted on or reviewed. Ask who will own each action, when you will be reviewed, and how the plan fits the things that matter most to you. You should always feel involved in decisions rather than have them made for you.

Published figures to discuss

A CGA is an assessment, not a treatment, so it carries little physical risk and complication rates do not really apply. The meaningful evidence is about whether the process helps. In hospital, a Cochrane review found CGA increased the chance of being alive and in one's own home and reduced moves into care homes, with little or no difference in death. Benefits depend heavily on the plan being acted on and reviewed, and on patient selection, so a single figure cannot capture what any individual will gain.

Figure	Reported range	How to interpret it	Source / confidence
Being alive and living at home after a hospital CGA	Modestly more likely — risk ratio about 1.06 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.10) in a Cochrane review	High-certainty evidence in hospital inpatients; the absolute gain is small and depends on the plan being followed.	Cochrane Review — CGA for older adults admitted to hospitalcochrane.orgPublished figure
Moving into a care/nursing home after a hospital CGA	Reduced — risk ratio about 0.80 (95% CI 0.72 to 0.89) in a Cochrane review	High-certainty evidence; reflects supporting people to stay at home where appropriate.	Cochrane Review — CGA for older adults admitted to hospitalcochrane.orgPublished figure
Death at 3 to 12 months after a hospital CGA	Little or no difference — risk ratio about 1.00 (95% CI 0.93 to 1.07)	High-certainty evidence; CGA is about better-matched care, not extending life as such.	Cochrane Review — CGA for older adults admitted to hospitalcochrane.orgPublished figure

These are literature figures, not a personalised prediction. Your own risks and likely benefits depend on your circumstances, your health, and how your care is carried out and followed up.

What happens afterwards

There is no physical recovery from a CGA. What matters afterwards is that the plan is clearly explained, shared with your GP, acted on, and reviewed as your needs change — with you involved throughout.

During the assessment

You answer questions, may be examined and have simple checks, and meet one or more members of the team. It can be tiring, so it is fine to ask for breaks or to bring someone with you.

Bringing it together

The team joins up the findings, often discussing them as a group, and works out suggestions with you based on what matters most to you.

The plan

You are told what was found and what is suggested, including anything you can do yourself. A written plan or letter usually goes to you and your GP.

Acting on it

Changes such as medicine adjustments, exercises, equipment, referrals or extra support are set in motion. Some happen quickly; others take time to arrange.

Review

Because health and circumstances change, the plan should be reviewed and updated, with a clear point of contact if things change in between.

What's normal — and not a worry

Feeling tired after a long appointment or several visits
Having more to think about, including topics you had not expected to discuss
Waiting while referrals, equipment or extra support are arranged
Being asked to come back for review as the plan beds in
Noticing gradual rather than instant improvement as changes take effect

Aftercare

Make sure you understand the plan and have it in writing, including who is responsible for each action.
Do not stop or change any medicine on your own; if a change is advised, it should be explained and, where needed, made gradually.
Follow up on referrals, equipment or extra support, and ask for a contact if anything is delayed.
Keep doing any exercises or activities suggested to maintain strength, balance and independence.
Share the plan with family or carers who help you, so everyone is working to the same goals.
Make sure your GP has the plan and knows when you should next be reviewed.
Seek urgent help for sudden confusion, a fall with injury, chest pain, breathlessness or signs of infection rather than waiting for the next review.

Before your test

All medicines or an up-to-date list gathered
Glasses and hearing aids to bring
A note of your own goals and worries
A relative, friend or carer to come with you if possible
A list of recent falls, confusion or changes in memory, mood or weight
Details of your home support and GP
Knowing who to contact if things change before your review

⚠ Get urgent help if…

Sudden confusion or a marked change in alertness or behaviour (possible delirium) — seek help the same day
A fall causing a head injury, severe pain or inability to weight-bear
Chest pain, severe breathlessness, or sudden weakness, numbness or difficulty speaking — call 999
Signs of infection such as fever, shivering, or a sudden decline in someone older
Not eating or drinking, or becoming rapidly weaker over a day or two
New severe dizziness or repeated blackouts
Any symptom your clinician told you to treat as urgent

Who to contact: your clinician, clinic or test provider first (keep their number to hand). For urgent advice when you can't reach them, call NHS 111. In an emergency, call 999.

General guidance — it doesn't replace the specific advice your specialist gives you.

Results & realistic expectations

A useful CGA produces a clear, shared understanding of what is happening and a realistic plan built around your goals — for example keeping you safely at home, improving your walking, simplifying your medicines, or arranging the right support. It often identifies treatable or reversible problems that were not obvious when conditions were looked at separately.

A CGA cannot cure ageing or every condition, and it cannot guarantee a particular outcome. Its benefit depends on the plan being acted on and reviewed over time. Your clinician should be honest about what can and cannot be changed, and the plan should always reflect what matters most to you rather than just the test results.

How long it lasts

Health and circumstances change with age, so a CGA is best thought of as a snapshot and a starting point rather than a one-off verdict. The plan should be reviewed and updated when your needs change — for example after an illness, a fall, a hospital stay, a bereavement or a change in support. A single assessment loses value if it is never revisited.

Related tests, treatments or support

A CGA often draws on or leads to other assessments, such as a falls assessment, a frailty assessment, a mobility and balance assessment, a structured medication review, or a memory assessment. It may also sit alongside care from other specialists for specific conditions. The point of the CGA is to pull these together into one plan rather than leave them disconnected.

Follow-up & long-term care

After a CGA you should be told what was found, given a written plan and have a copy sent to your GP. Referrals, medicine changes, equipment and support are then set in motion, and you should know who is responsible for each. Because needs change, there should be a plan for review and a clear point of contact if things change in the meantime.

Keep an up-to-date medicines list and take it to every appointment
Keep doing any exercises suggested to maintain strength and balance
Have your sight and hearing checked regularly, as both affect safety
Ask for a review after any illness, fall, hospital stay or change in support
Keep your GP and family informed of the current plan

Repeat, follow-on and what comes next

A CGA is a snapshot; the plan should be reviewed and updated as health and circumstances change.
New problems often emerge over time and may prompt reassessment.
A plan that is not acted on, or has no clear owner, delivers little benefit however thorough the assessment.
Medicine changes started at a CGA may need monitoring and further adjustment.

Ask what happens if the result is unclear or needs repeating, and what is included if further tests or follow-up are needed.

What good aftercare looks like

A clear written care plan, shared with the person and their GP, with a named owner for each action.
Medicine changes explained, made gradually where needed, and monitored.
Referrals, equipment and support actually set in motion, with a way to chase delays.
A planned review and a named contact for when things change.
Respect for the person's dignity, goals and involvement throughout.

What affects the cost

Costs vary a great deal between people and providers, and we don't publish prices. What matters is understanding what drives the cost and making sure your quote is complete. The main things that affect it:

The length of the appointment and whether several visits are needed
How many professionals are involved (for example geriatrician, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, pharmacist)
Whether it is done in clinic, on a ward or at home
Any tests arranged, such as blood tests or scans, charged separately
The complexity of your health and medicines
Follow-up reviews, letters and onward referrals

Make sure your written quote includes

Who will carry out the assessment and which professionals are included
Whether a written care plan and a letter to your GP are included
Whether tests are included or charged separately
How follow-up and review are arranged and charged
What happens if further assessment or referral is needed
The cancellation policy

On the NHS? Comprehensive geriatric assessment is widely available on the NHS when clinically indicated; private assessment may be used for speed, choice or a second opinion.

You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including reports, follow-up and what happens if the result is inconclusive — before you decide.

Choosing a specialist safely

Check the specialist is on the GMC Specialist Register for this area.
Make sure they work at a CQC-registered service, and look for membership of the relevant Royal College or professional body.
You're entitled to time to consider and to have your questions answered before you agree — the specialist who looks after you should explain it, not a salesperson.
Be wary of pressure: time-limited offers or deposits taken before you've had time to think are red flags, not bargains.
You're entitled to your total cost in writing — including any follow-up — before you decide.

How Vuemedics verifies every consultant →

Questions to ask your medical professional

Take this to your consultation. A good specialist will welcome every one of these.

What are the main problems you have found, and how do they fit together?
Have you found anything treatable or reversible that explains how I have been?
Can any of my medicines be safely reduced or stopped, and how would that be managed?
What is the plan to help me stay independent and meet the goals I care about?
Who is responsible for each part of the plan, and when will I be reviewed?
Who do I contact if things change before my next review?
Are you on the GMC Specialist Register for this area, and which Royal College or professional body are you a member of?
Will you be the specialist who carries out my test, and who looks after me afterwards?
What are the risks for someone like me, and how often do your own patients have a problem or need it repeated or redone?
What does a realistic result look like — and what can this test not achieve?
What are my options, including waiting, doing nothing for now, or choosing a different approach?
Can I have written information, results and aftercare instructions in a format I can use, including any accessibility or communication support I need?
What is the total cost in writing, including any follow-ups, and how much time do I have to decide?

Frequently asked questions

Is a comprehensive geriatric assessment available on the NHS?

Yes. CGA is widely provided on the NHS — in hospitals, community teams, day hospitals and sometimes at home — when clinically indicated. It is also offered privately, which may be quicker or used for a second opinion.

Will I be given lots of new diagnoses or medicines?

Not necessarily. A CGA often simplifies things — for example by safely reducing medicines that are no longer needed — as much as it adds them. The aim is a plan that fits your goals, not a longer problem list for its own sake.

Does this mean I will have to go into a care home?

No. A key aim of CGA is often to help people stay safely and independently in their own home. It looks at what support would help you do that, and any decisions about where you live should be made with you.

Why does it take so long or involve several people?

Because it deliberately looks at the whole picture — health, thinking, daily living, medicines and home life — and different professionals add different expertise. Joining these up is what makes the plan useful.

Will my family be involved?

With your agreement, yes — the account of someone who knows you well is genuinely helpful, and family or carers often help carry out the plan. You stay at the centre of decisions about your own care.

Will my memory be tested, and what if something is found?

Brief memory and mood checks are often part of a CGA. If something is found, it is discussed with you, and may lead to further assessment, support, or treatment of a reversible cause such as a medicine side effect or low mood.

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How we made this page

Medically reviewed by a GMC-registered consultant. Written in plain English, checked against NHS, NICE, GMC and relevant Royal College / specialist-society guidance, and kept under review. No clinic paid to appear on this page, and we publish no pricing. This is general information to help you prepare — it is not a substitute for advice from your own clinician. How we review our guides →

Source hierarchy: UK regulator and NHS/NICE guidance first, then relevant Royal College or specialist-society guidance, then peer-reviewed evidence for procedure-specific figures where available.

Sources & standards: British Geriatrics Society — Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Hub British Geriatrics Society — Elements of the CGA process Cochrane Review — CGA for older adults admitted to hospital NHS — Care and support for older people Age UK — Staying independent as you get older

Reviews reflect patients' experience of care, not clinical outcomes. For procedure volumes and outcome data see PHIN.

Last medically reviewed 2026-09-21. Spotted something wrong or out of date? Report an error in this guide.