Assessing older adults

Functional assessment in the home

In this video, filmed in Australia, Dr Kurrle performs a functional assessment of an older adult in the home. We show some of the basic components of functional assessment that it is important for a doctor to know, some of which may be used in other settings, such as the GP surgery or on a hospital ward. In many settings an occupational therapist would provide a detailed assessment of the patient's home and their activities of daily living.

Clinical review: Functional assessment in older people

The assessment is split into stages

  • (1.30) - Living room: mobility, sit to stand, lighting and furniture, dexterity.
  • (3.00) - Kitchen: Turning on taps, cooking, holding a cup.
  • (4.40) - Bedroom: Dressing, transfers to and from bed.
  • (6.12) - Bathroom: Personal care, transfers to and from shower/bath.
  • (7.34) - Toilet: Transfer onto and off the toilet
  • (8.06) - Balcony Garden: Mobilisation out of door, hanging laundry.
  • (8.28) - General mobility: Walking with our without aid, climbing stairs.
  • (9.10) - Further assessment and interventions

BMJ video

Fall assessment in the community

Jacqueline Close and colleagues discuss screening and assessment for risk of falls in older adults. They show how to assess patients in the community, accident and emergency department, hospital ward, and residential facility.

Read the full Clinical Review: Fall assessment in older people

    Part 1 - In the community.

  • 0.19 Screening tool: Timed up and go test
  • 2:03 Screening and assessment tool: QuickScreen
  • 8:05 Assessment tool: Short physical performance battery
  • 11:06 Interventions

    • BMJ video

    Fall assessment in A&E

    Jacqueline Close and colleagues discuss screening and assessment for risk of falls in older adults. They show how to assess patients in the community, accident and emergency department, hospital ward, and residential facility.

    Read the full Clinical Review: Fall assessment in older people

      Part 2 - In A&E.

  • 0:35 Screening tool: PROFET
  • 1:15 Follow up after screening

    • BMJ video

    Fall assessment on the ward

    Jacqueline Close and colleagues discuss screening and assessment for risk of falls in older adults. They show how to assess patients in the community, accident and emergency department, hospital ward, and residential facility.

    Read the full Clinical Review: Fall assessment in older people

      Part 2 - On the ward.

  • 0:13 Screening tool: Modified STRATIFY
  • 0:36 Patients without cognitive impairment
  • 3:57 Patients with cognitive impairment
  • 8:35 Whom to screen

    • BMJ video

    Fall assessment In the residential home

    Jacqueline Close and colleagues discuss screening and assessment for risk of falls in older adults. They show how to assess patients in the community, accident and emergency department, hospital ward, and residential facility.

    Read the full Clinical Review: Fall assessment in older people

      Part 2 - In the residential home.

  • Residential Aged Care Facility screening tool
  • 3:18 Interventions

    • BMJ video