This paper examines the assessment process as the basis of treatment for geriatric occupational therapy. The need for assessment of the elderly, especially comprehensive assessment, is reviewed, and a framework for considering basic issues in assessment is provided. The role of the occupational therapist in the assessment of the elderly client is discussed.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
SteelK.Evaluation of the geriatric patient. In: ReichelW, ed. Clinical aspects of aging. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1978.
2.
EisdorferCCohenD.The cognitively impaired elderly: differential diagnosis. In: StorandtMSieglerIEliasM, eds. The clinical psychology of aging. New York: Plenum Press, 1978.
3.
PegelsCC. Health care for the elderly. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen, 1980.
4.
PlutchikR.Conceptual and practical issues in the assessment of the elderly. In: RaskinAJarvikLF, eds. Psychiatric symptoms and cognitive loss in the elderly. New York: Wiley, 1979.
5.
ShulmanKArieT.Fall in admission rates of old people to psychiatric units. Br Med J1978; i: 156–8.
LawtonMP. Functional assessment of elderly people. J Am Geriatr Soc1971; 19: 455–81.
8.
LinnMWSculthorpeWBEvjeM. A social dysfunction rating scale. J Psychiatr Res1969; 6: 299–306.
9.
PfeifferE.Designing a system of care — the clinical perspective. National conference on alternatives to institutional care for older Americans. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1972.
10.
PfeifferE.Multidimensional functional assessment: the OARS methodology. Durham, NC: Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development, 1975.
11.
SchoutenJ.Important factors in the examination and care of old patients. J Am Geriatr Soc1978; 23: 180–83.
12.
GrauerHBirnbomF.A geriatric functional rating scale to determine the need for institutional care. J Am Geriatr Soc1975; 23: 472–6.
13.
WilliamsTF. Assessment of geriatric patients in relation to needs for services and facilities. In: ReichelW, ed. Clinical aspects of aging. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1978.
14.
GallagherDThompsonLWLevySM. Clinical psychological assessment of older adults. In: PoonLW, ed. Aging in the 80s. Washington, DC: American Psychiatric Association, 1980.
15.
HagenMP. Nursing home residents: a challenge to the occupational therapist. Am J Occup Ther1967; 21: 151–5.
16.
MaloneyCC. The occupational therapist on a geriatric rehabilitation team. Am J Occup Ther1976; 30: 300–4.
17.
SmithM.Working with the elderly in the community. Br J Occup Ther1982; 45: 5–6.
