A simple procedure for general screening for functional disability in elderly patients

We propose a short, simple approach that can be used by general internists to routinely screen the functional status of elderly patients in office practice. The approach relies on checking a limited number of targets that are commonly dysfunctional but often unappreciated when conventional histories...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of internal medicine Vol. 112; no. 9; p. 699
Main Authors Lachs, M S, Feinstein, A R, Cooney, Jr, L M, Drickamer, M A, Marottoli, R A, Pannill, F C, Tinetti, M E
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.05.1990
Subjects
Aged
Arm
Depression - diagnosis
Geriatric Assessment
Hearing Tests
Humans
Leg
Mental Health
Muscles - physiology
Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Social Environment
Social Support
Urinary Incontinence - diagnosis
Vision Tests
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Summary:We propose a short, simple approach that can be used by general internists to routinely screen the functional status of elderly patients in office practice. The approach relies on checking a limited number of targets that are commonly dysfunctional but often unappreciated when conventional histories and physical examinations are done for elderly patients. The new focus is on carefully selected tests of vision, hearing, arm and leg function, urinary incontinence, mental status, instrumental and basic activities of daily living, environmental hazards, and social support systems. Brief questions and easily observed tasks are used to obtain the information needed for a suitable, effective screening while minimizing the time for administration. The approach can be incorporated into routine practice if certain relatively unproductive procedures are eliminated from the routine clinical examination, and particularly if internists are suitably compensated for the additional time.
ISSN:0003-4819
DOI:10.7326/0003-4819-112-9-699