Explain the importance of a comprehensive assessment in older adults.

The medical history allows the provider to gain a better understanding of the patient’s overall health by gathering information about past illnesses, current medications and treatments received. This includes a review of family history which can alert providers to hereditary conditions that may increase risk for certain diseases or conditions such as heart disease or cancer. It is also beneficial to understand if any chronic health issues are present such as hypertension or diabetes which need regular monitoring or have implications on medication management. The physical exam gives information regarding vital signs like temperature, pulse rate etc., it also evaluates height and weight along with hearing and vision acuity.

The psychological evaluation looks at how well an older adult is managing their emotions including depression levels or anxiety symptoms so that appropriate treatment recommendations can be made if needed. Functional evaluations assess ADLs such as bathing/dressing abilities; mobility; community integration; memory recall; learning new skills; reading comprehension etc., thus helping clinicians provide tailored strategies for safe independent living whether at home or in an assisted living facility.

Falls risk assessments gauge balance stability through mobility tests administered by therapists while nutrition status screens are used to determine if there are any deficiencies observed in food intake due to either lack of appetite or difficulty preparing meals resulting in poor nutritional outcomes over time which could impair overall wellbeing.
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Finally mental health evaluations check for signs of dementia while screening tools designed specifically for substance abuse look out for alcohol misuse tendencies among elderly individuals who may not be aware they are engaging in risky behavior.

In conclusion, comprehensive assessments help healthcare providers create individualized plans tailored towards optimizing the quality-of-life each person experiences during their later years while minimizing long-term risks associated with aging processes especially when it comes to avoiding preventable hospitalizations from occurring due to untreated medical conditions arising from missed diagnoses identified during these routine examinations.

Citation: Guijarro Garcia CJ & Giadalonzo G (2020). Comprehensive Assessment for Older Adults: A Holistic Approach [Online]. Retrieved From https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/9/2/57</br