Multicomplexity
Multicomplexity acknowledges that older adults often face a complex interplay of health conditions, social factors, and personal preferences, rather than a simple focus on individual diseases. It is a look at the whole person living with multiple chronic conditions, advanced illness and/or biopsychosocial needs.
Difficult Conversations
Withdrawal of Treatments
FAST
Functional Assessment Staging Tool- FAST - a tool used to assess and track functional decline in individuals with dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
It categorizes dementia progression into seven stages and helps healthcare professionals and caregivers understand the patient's abilities and impairments at each stage.
Stage 1: Normal Adult
Stage 2: Normal Older Adult
Stage 3: Early Dementia - memory loss becomes noticeable to family and friends, with difficulty remembering names of newly introduced people
Stage 4: Mild Dementia - difficulty with complex tasks
Stage 5: Moderate Dementia - increased need for assistance with daily living but still able to perform basic functions
Stage 6: Moderately Severe Dementia - may forget names of close family and have difficulty with dressing, bathing, and continence
Stage 7: Severe Dementia - Limited speech ability, inability to walk without assistance, and may lose ability to sit up independently and smile.
