The most important considerations in the assessment of functional decline in seniors: a literature review

Abstract

In recent years, there has been much focus on functional decline associated with aging, but not many studies have examined how functional decline can be effectively evaluated and detected at earlier stages of the aging process. Early detection of functional decline helps to intervene much earlier to avoid many of negative consequences of functional decline and frailty. Late identification of functional decline is problematic to the individuals and the healthcare systems considering that the percentage of the world population represented by people over the age of 65 is increasing rapidly worldwide. The aim of this review was to investigate the most important considerations in the assessment of functional decline in the population of seniors, and to explore relevant literature to provide a ground for an effective functional assessment for this population. Comprehensive literature search of the English-language articles for people aged 65 and over were conducted by searching MEDLINE and PubMed. The literature describes two main segments of elderly population with functional decline that should be assessed in different ways: Hospitalized and community-dwelling elders. When working with elderly clients, it is significantly important to identify all the factors that may contribute to the clinical picture of the client. Identification of risk factors, such as inability to do basic activities of daily living, social isolation, or lack of resources may help healthcare providers to intervene on time to avoid many catastrophic changes that affect seniors' health-related quality of life.