The 13 targeted issues covered by the quality improvement protocol included cognitive impairment, depression, behavioral issues, mobility, incontinence, nutrition, sleep, vision, hearing, caregiver issues and social support, driving safety, home safety, and health and financial planning. Seniors dealing with any of these issues may be at significantly higher risk of illness or injury. By incorporating questions about each of these issues into a standard physical or new patient check physicians can provide early detection and intervention. Yale researchers found that adding these elements did not add significantly to the time needed for the patient visit.

In order for physicians to accurately assess seniors needs, seniors also need to be open and honest in their answers. While it may be embarassing to divulge that you are haveing some problems with incontinence for instance this is something your physician needs to know. This could be a symptom of a larger problem and if left unchecked could result in skin irritation or breakdown and infections. By knowing that this problem exists the physician may be able to suggest or prescribe treatment that will help to avoid problems down the road.

As the population ages and the number of seniors rises physicians will find that the number of patients over the age of 65 will continue to increase. This assessment should become a routine part of every examination as a preventive step in ensuring seniors the longest, healthiest and most independent lives they can have.