Geriatric assessment

A comprehensive geriatric assessment involves the evaluation of the physica l, psychosocial, and environmental factors affecting the health of an elder ly person. In the office setting a geriatric assessment is best accomplishe d by the use of screening questions, which are incorporated into the patien t's medical questionnaire; the use of validated, brief screening tests that measure the patient's performance of daily living activities, cognition nu tritional status, and risk of falls; and a review of the patients personal values and social support network. The screening assessment can be complete d in an average of ten minutes by using self-administered questionnaires an d brief performance-based measures of physical functioning. The comprehensi ve assessment performed on the initial visit with an elderly patient will, help to (1) improve diagnostic accuracy, (2) guide the selection of interve ntions to restore or preserve health, (3) recommend an optimal environment for care, (4) predict health outcomes, and (5) monitor clinical change over time. The effectiveness of geriatric assessment has been demonstrated in c linical trials and is likely to be most effective when conducted by the pat ient's primary care physician.