Rehabilitation

Sections

Diagnosis & Tests

Assessing the Older Adult’s Needs and Care Goals

A thorough assessment helps make sure older adults get the right care. It helps the team create a good care plan. Key parts of the assessment look at:

  • Social support and physical help that is available
  • Where the person lived before getting sick and what their home is like
  • Any assistive tools or equipment the person uses
  • The older adult’s health conditions and how serious they are
  • What they could do on their own before getting sick
  • A review of their medicines, especially for those who have fallen
  • Joint movement, pain, muscle strength, senses, balance, and skin health
  • Brain health, including memory, dementia, and depression
  • The older adult’s short- and long-term goals, timelines, and plans for going home
  • Need to work with other health care providers

The assessment guides the older adult’s care plan.

 

Last Reviewed and Updated: October 2026
By: AGS/HiAF Public Education Committee, HealthinAging.org Content Reviewers

Back To Top