title: Risk groups and selective case finding in an elderly population.
abstract: As the preventive approach gains ground in the care of the elderly there is increasing interest in screening or case-finding. Given the impracticability of visiting all those over a certain age, most GPs and health visitors concentrate on those considered to be at greatest risk of medical and social deterioration. This paper draws on data from a random sample of the elderly population of Aberdeen to examine the nature and extent of 'risk' experienced by those falling into a number of conventionally defined risk groups. It shows that few of these groups are comprehensively disadvantaged and most are inefficient for selective case-finding. An alternative approach based on answers to a carefully selected set of screening questions is shown to be more efficient, and suggestions are offered for further improvements.
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D011788:Quality of Life; D012306:Risk; D012606:Scotland; D012737:Sex Factors