The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA), the Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and the Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) are screening and assessment tools aimed at detecting malnourished individuals and those at risk for malnutrition. In our study we tested their applicability in geriatric hospital patients and compared the results of the three tools. We examined prospectively all patients of two acute geriatric wards by the MNA, the SGA and the NRS. 121 patients were included in the study. The MNA could be completed in 66.1% of all patients, the SGA in 99.2% and the NRS in 98.3%. There was a significant association of all three tools with the BMI (p<0.01). With regard to serum albumin and to length of hospital stay (p<0.05), only a significant association could be shown for the MNA (p<0.05). Although the categories of the results were not completely identical for the three tools there were more patients at risk or malnourished according to the MNA (70%) than according to the SGA (45%) or the NRS (40.3%). The direct comparison of the NRS with the MNA and the SGA demonstrated significant differences, especially for the latter (p<0.001). In a relevant percentage of those tested, MNA, SGA, and NRS identify different individuals as malnourished or at risk for malnutrition. Because of its association with relevant prognostic parameters, the MNA is still the first choice for geriatric hospital patients. For those patients to whom the MNA cannot be applied, the NRS is recommended.

The demographic shift demands more and more customized medical supplies and management structures for geriatric patients. The elderly patient with age-related functional restrictions and multi-morbidity is at special risk for an ill-adapted pharmacotherapy. In addition the frail elderly person is dependent on general-practitioner assistance. The prescription of a suitable drug and a safe and workable (galenic) application form is key to therapeutic success. Age-based intake regulations, repeated education, and intake training are crucial tasks for the general-practitioner when caring for a fast growing elderly patient population.

In the year 2000, a database was implemented in Bavaria, covering the majority of geriatric clinics. Benchmarking statistics are generated in quarterly periods and scientifically analyzed. Actually, 41 of the 57 geriatric clinics in Bavaria participate in the project 'Geriatrics in Bavaria-Database' (GiB-DAT). For geriatric rehabilitation, the coverage is 82.4%. In addition, all 7 geriatric day clinics participate; thus, a total of 24,000 cases are documented each year. Therefore, GiB-DAT is the largest database for geriatric rehabilitation in Germany and Europe. To make documentation more effective and easy, new software (GERIDOCTM) has been generated which is integrated in the process of daily treatment. GiB-DAT offers good data quality, especially concerning completeness of items. This manuscript describes conception and construction of GiB-DAT and identifies differences compared to the Geriatric Minimum-Dataset (GEMIDAS), a nationwide geriatric database in Germany.

The characteristic of increasing frailty in the elderly is amyotrphia, the so-called sarcopenia. At this physiological ageing is as important as lifestyle and environmental influences. With specific physical activities, older people have the ability to gain positive effects in strength, balance and quality of life. This fits as well in prevention as in rehabilitation after sickness.