Overview
Function, falls, frailty, nutrition, memory and autonomy.
Clinical relevance
Integrated assessment of older adults helps recognize functional losses, nutritional risk, falls, frailty and cognitive changes before they compromise autonomy.
Signs and symptoms
- Falls or fear of falling.
- Loss of strength, weight, appetite or energy.
- Difficulty walking or standing.
- Frequent forgetfulness or behavior changes.
Related conditions
Sarcopenia
Frailty
Malnutrition
Cognitive impairment
Fall risk
Assessments
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Clinical assessments
SARC-F
Initial screening for sarcopenia risk.
Purpose: Identify signs of strength and muscle function loss.
Interpretation: A high score suggests the need for professional assessment.
Start assessmentFall Risk
Educational screening of factors associated with falls.
Purpose: Recognize functional and environmental risk factors.
Interpretation: Increased risk should guide preventive measures and assessment.
Start assessmentFrailty
Observation of vulnerability and functional decline signs.
Purpose: Organize clinical and functional vulnerability signs.
Interpretation: Accumulated signs indicate the need for follow-up.
Start assessmentNutrition
Educational nutritional risk screening.
Purpose: Identify signs of reduced intake or weight loss.
Interpretation: Changes suggest nutritional assessment.
Start assessmentMemory and Cognition
Educational observation of cognitive signs in daily life.
Purpose: Record cognitive change signs noticed in routine.
Interpretation: Persistent signs justify professional assessment.
Start assessmentGuides
Available
Older adult functional screening guide
Guide about sarcopenia, falls, frailty, nutrition and memory.
Open resourceProtocols
Available
Fall prevention protocol
Educational flow with risk factors, environment, medicines and referral.
Open resource
Articles
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Related articles
FAQ
Falls, loss of strength, weight loss, low intake, confusion and worsening autonomy should be observed.
No. The assessments indicate signs that justify professional assessment, but they do not establish a diagnosis.
Seek assessment for falls, loss of strength or weight, reduced appetite, difficulty walking or performing usual activities, confusion or behavior changes.
References
- Cruz-Jentoft AJ et al. Sarcopenia: revised European consensus on definition and diagnosis. Age and Ageing, 2019.
- World Health Organization. Integrated care for older people: guidelines on community-level interventions, 2017.