Health Assessment

Health assessment in the older adult should encompass all of the psychological, physical, cognitive, and social aspects of the person’s life. It is important to consider each of these aspects and how they contribute to the individual’s overall functioning and quality of life. Geriatric health assessment assists in identifying health-related problems, coordinating care, determining need for long-term care, developing treatment plans, and evaluating optimal use of health care resources.

The goal of health assessment is to encourage and promote wellness as well as independent functioning. In order to achieve this goal, healthcare providers will often employ general screening tools to assess general health and overall functioning. More detailed assessments are then completed to address any potential problems identified through the general screen. The general screen can also prompt consideration of additional services or referrals that may be necessary to adequately address problems.