Geriatric Assessment
Authors: MARK E. WILLIAMS
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1986)

Editorials1 May 1986Geriatric AssessmentMARK E. WILLIAMS, M.D.MARK E. WILLIAMS, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-104-5-720 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptGeriatric assessments attempt to match the needs of older persons with the health care services they receive. There are two types of geriatric evaluations, administrative and clinical, that serve different purposes and use different approaches. Recent evidence however, suggests that policy-oriented assessments are developing rapidly, whereas clinically useful evaluations are evolving more slowly (1-5).Geriatric assessment for administrative purposes provides a basis for policy decisions on the delivery of appropriate services. Early approaches to geriatric assessments usually measured single dimensions of activity: physical performance, mental function, or self-care abilities. But functioning in one area directly influences functioning in other areas,...References1. WILLIAMSHILLFAIRBANKKNOX TJMK. Appropriate placement of the chronically ill and aged: a successful approach by evaluation. JAMA. 1973;226:1332-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. LARSONREIFLERFEATHERSTONEENGLISH EBHD. Dementia in elderly outpatients: a prospective study. Ann Intern Med. 1984;100:417-23. LinkGoogle Scholar3. LEFTONBONSTELLEFRENGLEY ESJ. Success with an outpatient geriatric unit: a controlled study of outcome and follow-up. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1983;31:149-55. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. RUBENSTEINJOSEPHSONWIELANDENGLISHSAYREKANE LKGPJR. Effectiveness of a geriatric evaluation unit: a randomized clinical trial. N Engl J Med. 1984;311:1664-70. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. APPLEGATEAKINSVANDER ZWAAGTHONIBAKER WDRKM. A geriatric rehabilitation and assessment unit in a community hospital. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1983;31:206-10. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. FILLENBAUM G. The Well-Being of the Elderly: Approaches to Multidimensional Assessment. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1985. (WHO offset publication no. 84.) Google Scholar7. SMITHKAHNNESSON JRH. Determining the true cost of hospital-based ambulatory care. J Ambulatory Care Manage. 1983;6:23-37. CrossrefGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Chapel Hill, North Carolina PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByThe Hospitalized Older Adult: Communication and Physical ExaminationFactores predictores de mortalidad de una cohorte clínica de pacientes ancianosReproducibility of Physical Performance and Physiologic AssessmentsArena Assessment: Evolution of Teamwork for Frail Older AdultsReliability of nursing assistants’ observations of functioning and clinical symptoms and signsH�bergement m�dico-social temporaire: Alternative � l'hospitalisation de personnes �g�es?Assessment of Medication Management Skills in Older OutpatientsA geriatric evaluation and management (GEM) program: Evaluation of patient outcomesRating chronic medical illness burden in geropsychiatric practice and research: Application of the Cumulative Illness Rating ScaleGeriatric Assessment in the HomeThe New GeriatricsCognitive Function Testing in Comprehensive Geriatric AssessmentInstruments for the Functional Assessment of Older PatientsThe Yield of a Home Visit in the Assessment of Geriatric Patients 1 May 1986Volume 104, Issue 5Page: 720-721KeywordsGeriatricsMedical servicesMental functioningPhysical activity Issue Published: 1 May 1986 PDF DownloadLoading ...