Screening tools for older people at risk of adverse outcomes

More elderly care physicians are using standardised assessment tools in routine healthcare togenerate risk profi les for assessed individuals. These screening tools are able to identify asubgroup of older people at high risk of hospital admission, institutionalisation or death as wellas secondary outcomes relating to other aspects of health and well being. Professor Ian Philp,Emily Hoyle, Emma O’Brien and Chris Parker review a number of screening instruments thatcould be incorporated into an assessment by primary healthcare practitioners.