The  World Health Organization (WHO) recently published the second edition of ICOPE (Integrated care for older people) guidance for person-centered assessment and pathways in primary care. International Council on Active Aging Founder and CEO Colin Milner is involved in the advisory group that created the handbook, which aims is to support health workers put the recommendations outlined in the first edition of the guidelines into practice.

The ICOPE handbook second edition was built on field experience, and provides details on the four steps of the ICOPE care pathway in primary care: basic assessment, in-depth assessment, developing a personalized care plan, and implementing and monitoring. This edition also includes an expanded first step and a new pathway on urinary incontinence.

Of note, greater focus is given to the community level - both what can happen within older people's communities, and how community health workers and other stakeholders can be engaged. This includes conducting a basic assessment of the loss of intrinsic capacity (cognition, mobility, vitality, vision, hearing and psychological capacity), plus social support, support for caregivers; provision of health and lifestyle advice; screening for cardiovascular disease risk factors; and community-based interventions for losses in intrinsic capacity.

To download full the second edition of the ICOPE guidance, click here

To download the first edition, published in 2017, click here