University of Minnesota
 A Geriatric Home Visit Experience
Self-Reported Functional Assessment
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Orientation Home PageHome Visit EtiquetteLIfe HistorySelf-Reported Functional AssessmentMental Status AssessmentMedication ReviewSpiritual AssessmentHealth Promotion Behavior AssessmentEnvironmental AssessmentObserved Functional AssessmentPhysical Examination

 

senior's phoneThe functional assessment is one of the most important aspects of a history and physical of a senior. Function is the "final common pathway" of disease and injury. Function can be assessed by history (self or caregiver) or directly observed. It is common for there to be differences in information obtained by these three methods. Direct observation of activities in the usual setting (ie, at home) is the "gold standard" and will be covered later.

 


Dr. Ratner demonstrates how to get started:

video link [:16] audio link

Typical questions include:

What do you do in a typical day?

Do you leave your apartment every day?

How often do you go out of the building?

How often do you talk on the phone?

What have you stopped doing that you used to do? Why?

Do you need help with: grocery shopping, cleaning your apartment, paying bills, making meals, bathing, getting dressed? Who helps you?

Are there things you could do but don't because of fear (ie, of falling)?

Staying busy means different things to different people:

Senior A

video link [:38] audio link

Senior B

video link [:53] audio link

Go to next page: Mental Status Assessment

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University of Minnesota Academic Health Center Seniors as Teachers Program

Date of last revision: December 17, 2001

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