| Problems (Symptom) | Assessment tool recommended | Tool best suited for problem need and population | Trial assessment |
| Ethnogeriatrics | |||
| Age related changes | |||
| Healthcare decision | |||
| Atypical presentation | |||
| Function | |||
| Iatrogenesis | |||
| Transitional care | |||
| Advanced directives | |||
| Palliative Care | |||
| Falls | |||
| Frailty | |||
| Assessing Cognition | |||
| Delirium | |||
| Depression | |||
| Dementia | |||
| Nutrition in the elderly | |||
| Mealtime difficulties Oral Health Care | |||
| Urinary Incontinence | |||
| Pain | |||
| Sensory changes | |||
| Sleep | |||
| Substance use | |||
| Sexuality |
- Problem (Symptom) to be assessed e.g. Depression in older adults
- Background of problem – brief (what, who, why, where, how) of depression.
2. Assessment tool recommended for the problem to be assessed in an older person
- Identify tool recommended in the EB article e.g. “Aged Persons Depression Scale”
- Is there another tool/s that can be used to assess this problem – Identify e.g. “Modified Depression Scale for Institutionalized Adults”
3. Select the tool best suited for problem need and population – best of the two identified in #2.
- Background of selected tool from #2 e.g. My selection of best tool for depression assessment in older persons is the “Modified Depression Scale for Institutionalized Adults (MDSIA)”
- Define/describe selected tool
- Indications for use/ who needs to be assessed
- Rationale for this selection. Why is tool the best selection for the problem compared to the other (not selected)?
- Include Reliability and validity of use in specific population
§ How is it scored and
§ How are the scores obtained with this tool interpreted
§ Obtain and save a copy of your tool of choice in the tool box journal
4. Administer a trial assessment with your tool on a community dwelling older adult.
- What is your assessment finding?
5. Write your Create-A-Tool report reflecting activities 1 through 4 above.
Reading of Evidence-based geriatric topics.
Resource: http://consultgerirn.org/

