title: Assessment of an elderly patient.
abstract: A complete and comprehensive assessment is the first step towards rational management of the elderly patient. The traditional approach of direct response to specific complaints is inadequate. Systemic enquiries for unstated treatable complaints is essential. A full assessment consists of physical diagnosis, mental assessment, functional assessment and social assessment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore.
authors.forename: P W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Owen
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Jayaratnam
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006801:Humans; D010808:Physical Examination; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales