Abstract
Preserving function is a priority in caring for older patients. In geriatrics, the focus of care shifts from the treatment of multiple chronic diseases to the impact of these chronic diseases on function. Clinicians must conduct functional assessments in order to establish a baseline and identify changes over time. This article gives the healthcare provider practical tools to assess function and conditions that impact function in a busy clinic setting. Since functional abilities represent the integration of the effects of multiple, complex disease states, it is important to perform a comprehensive assessment of key domains, including physical, cognitive, psychological and social domains. For each domain, we will present practical tools for screening (<2 min) as well as tools for more in-depth assessments (<10 min). Healthcare providers are encouraged to use these tools to help care for their older patients, all while keeping in mind individual patient function, safety and goals of care.
Financial & competing interests disclosure
T Kostas, AM Paquin and JL Rudolph are all US government employees. JL Rudolph is supported by a VA Rehabiliation Research Career Development Award. T Kostas, AM Paquin and JL Rudolph are supported by a VA Transformational grant to develop noninstitutional alternatives to long-term care – the PILL Project. T Kostas is supported by the John A Hartford Foundation Center of Excellence Award. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.
No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.