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If
you're going to get the right kind of help for an older person, at
the right time, you need good information. Without the right information, chances are
you'll miss something
important, and your elder could suffer as a result.
A full assessment
of an older person
will include a thorough review of
physical and mental health, economic and legal issues, the
environment where the elder lives, the elder's "functional
status" (ability to think, move around, and to do things),
and his or her social activities and support.
While you may need expert information from professionals to do a full geriatric assessment, there's
no reason why you can't use some of the tools included here to
start the process yourself. If you can stay objective - and
answer the questions realistically - you'll have a good start at
making a basic assessment of your elder's needs.
 Warning
Signs:
If you see any of these indicators, it would be a good idea to look a little closer, because there's
a good chance something is going on. Whether your elder isn't feeling well, is becoming forgetful, or is possibly depressed,
these signs tell us that things are not right.
 Home
Safety:
Accidents in the home are responsible for many, many
hospitalizations and too often result in relocation to a nursing
home. Falls can be devastating
if the result is a fractured hip. Use this tool to assess
your elder's home for safety risks. Even the smallest
improvement may prevent a debilitating injury.
 Driving:
We've all heard the horror stories about elderly drivers who
injure or kill pedestrians or other drivers. Most older drivers
are perfectly good drivers. A few are not quite as good as they
think they are, and some should stop driving immediately. As
loving family members we don't want to take anyone's freedom
away, but we worry. This assessment tool will give you a good
idea how your older driver is doing.
Remember,
while these brief assessment tools are very useful, they are no
substitute for a full professional evaluation. Not every older person
needs a complete geriatric assessment. But, if you're worried and feel
like you need answers, a
legal, medical or financial professional will give you the in-depth
information you need to move forward with confidence, knowing that
you aren't missing something important.
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