Comprehensive Gerontological Assessment

Abstract

Intrinsic ability, a core concept of healthy aging, is defined by the WHO as “the sum of all the physical and mental abilities that a person can use at any given time.” Vital capacity is considered the primary physiological determinant of intrinsic vitality. To facilitate the measurement and monitoring of viability, a working group of WHO staff and twenty experts representing six WHO regions was convened to discuss and clarify the characteristics of viability and develop a clear operational definition of the concept. Potential biomarkers for measuring vitality have been identified and the following consensus working definition has been developed: Vitality is a physiological state (due to normal or accelerated biological aging processes) resulting from the interaction between multiple physiological systems, as reflected in energy and metabolism , neuromuscular function, as well as immune function and the body's response to stress.

The concept of assessing health status implies, first of all, the creation of a socalled comprehensive gerontological assessment, including assessment of domains of functional, cognitive, psychological status and determination of a number of biomarkers.