This document discusses health assessment of elders. It outlines that assessment can range from simple screening tests to in-depth evaluations, and should include a health history, physical examination, and lab investigations. It then provides recommendations for various common screening tests that should be performed on elders at different intervals, such as blood pressure checks annually after age 40 and mammograms and pap smears every 1-2 years for women over 50. The document also lists several structured tools that can be used for psychological assessment of elders, including scales to test for depression, dementia, and functional ability.

1. Bivin Jay B, MSN
Mar Baselios College of Nursing
Kothamangalam

2. • Assessment ranges from simple
screening tests to in-depth evaluations
• Health assessment include health
history, physical examination & lab
investigations
• Many structured assessment
formats/tools are available
• Interviewing an elder
– Prepare the physical settings
– Establish the rapport
– Structure the interview

3. Screening tests Recommendations
Blood pressure Every clinical
examination/ q1-2 yr
Clinical breast
examination
Annually (if >40 Yrs)
Mammogram q1-2 yrs if 50-69 yrs
q1-3 yrs if 70-85+ yrs
Pelvic exam/Pap
smear
q2-3 yrs; (after 3 –ve
tests, can decrease)

4. Screening tests Recommendations
Cholesterol Every 5 yr
Rectal examination Annually (if >40 Yrs)
Fecal occult blood Annually (if >50 Yrs)
Sigmoidoscopy Annually (if >50 Yrs)
Prostrate examination q3-5 yr (if <50 Yrs)
Annually (if >50 Yrs)
Tests for hearing/
vision/thyroid/EKG/
Glucose etc
Periodically
Exam of heart/lungs/
skin etc
Periodically

6. Psychological assessment
• Cornell scale for depression and
dementia
• Short test for dementia
• Functional activities questionnaire
• Clinical dementia rating scale
• Information questionnaire on cognitive
decline in the elderly
• Confusion assessment method

7. Reference
• Wold GH (2008) Basic Geriatric
Nursing, 4th Ed., Missouri, Mosby
Elsevier Inc.