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What HCPs should do (practical, instant steps)

1. Start screening older patients with very short tools (5–10 minutes): ask about mobility (falls), memory/confusion, vision/hearing, weight loss/appetite, and mood. If any domain is impaired, flag for a fuller assessment. (WHO recommends this intrinsic-capacity approach.) (World Health Organization)
2. Use or adapt a simple Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) template for patients who screen positive — record medications (polypharmacy), function (ADLs), social supports, cognition and mood, nutrition, and gait/balance. CGA need not be performed only by a geriatrician — trained primary care teams and CHVs can initiate it. (PubMed Central)
3. Map local referral options now: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, nutrition support, social services and community health volunteers (CHVs). Create a one-page referral pathway for your clinic. Integration is the key WHO asks for. (World Health Organization)
4. Talk to and support caregivers at each encounter — give simple guidance on mobility safety, medication adherence, and signs that need urgent review. Share contact information for local support (community groups, CHV schedules). (World Health Organization)
5. Audit elderly patients’ medication lists for polypharmacy risks — deprescribe where appropriate, and educate patients/caregivers about side effects and interactions. (Polypharmacy is a common, modifiable contributor to falls and hospitalisations.)

What facility managers & program leads should prioritise

• Train staff (nurses, clinical officers, CHVs) in the intrinsic capacity approach and CGA basics. Short in-service courses, simulated cases, and mentorship work well. (UNFPA East and Southern Africa)
• Introduce simple metrics: % of patients >60 screened, % with CGA completed, falls per 1000 older patients, readmission rates — use these for continuous improvement. (World Health Organization)
• Design low-cost rehabilitation pathways (group exercises, community-based physio, home visit protocols) as these prevent functional decline and reduce admissions. (The Lancet)
• Engage county health planners to include basic long-term and rehabilitative services in UHC benefit packages.

Challenges to expect (and quick mitigation ideas)

• Workforce shortages: use task-sharing — train nurses/clinical officers and CHVs to do screening and basic interventions. (UNFPA East and Southern Africa)
• Limited specialist access: set up tele-mentoring relationships with urban geriatricians where possible.

Caregiver strain & poverty: link families to social protection and community groups; simple counselling and education reduce caregiver burnout. (World Health Organization)

Where to read the WHO guidance & Kenya policy (references / links)

• WHO — Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE): Guidelines on community-level interventions to manage declines in intrinsic capacity (full guideline). (World Health Organization)
• WHO — Integrated care for older people (ICOPE) programme page and resources. (World Health Organization)
• WHO / UN — Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030 — strategy, plan and resources. (World Health Organization)
• Kenya — National Policy on Older Persons and Ageing (2018) — national policy document and guidance for county implementation. (repository.kippra.or.ke)
• UNFPA / Kenya — Country summary on healthy ageing (Kenya) — assessment of readiness, training and service gaps. (UNFPA East and Southern Africa)
• Reporting on the care gap in Africa (journalism): Associated Press — coverage highlighting real-world care shortages for older Africans. (AP News)

(Click the links above in the published article to open the WHO and Kenya policy pages.)