There Are Two Parts To This Assignment You Will Be Conductin

There Are Two Parts To This Assignmenta You Will Be Conducting A Ger

There are two parts to this assignment: A. You will be conducting a geriatric functional assessment. This geriatric functional assessment tool is the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living & depression screening tool. At the end of the geriatric functional assessment, you will be asked to document your findings and provide a brief description of the person and the results of this assessment. B. Answer the questions on the worksheet: Functional Assessment of the Older Adult Questions.

Paper For Above instruction

The objective of this assignment is to deepen understanding of geriatric assessment procedures by conducting a complete functional assessment of an older adult. This process involves applying specific standardized tools—namely, the Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living and a depression screening tool—to evaluate the functional status and mental health of the individual. The assessment allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the older adult’s ability to perform daily activities independently and identifies potential areas of concern that may require intervention or support.

The first part involves conducting the actual geriatric functional assessment with an older adult. The Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living measures a person’s ability to perform fundamental tasks such as bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, and feeding. Each activity is scored based on independence, providing a quantitative measure of functional status. The depression screening tool, often a brief questionnaire, assesses signs and symptoms indicative of depression, which is common among older adults and may influence their overall well-being and functional capacity.

In conducting this assessment, the evaluator must observe and ask pertinent questions to determine the older adult’s level of independence in each activity. The assessment should be performed with sensitivity and respect, ensuring the individual feels comfortable and safe. Once completed, the findings must be documented clearly, including the individual’s general description—age, gender, living situation, and any relevant health conditions—and the results derived from the assessment tools.

The second part of the assignment involves answering specific questions outlined in the worksheet titled "Functional Assessment of the Older Adult Questions." These questions are designed to deepen the understanding of the assessment process, explore health promotion strategies, and discuss care planning tailored to the older adult’s needs. The responses should reflect critical thinking and demonstrate knowledge of geriatric care principles.

In sum, this assignment emphasizes practical application in geriatric assessment, combining observational skills, standardized testing, and analytical writing. Proper documentation and insight into the implications of the assessment findings are essential for developing appropriate care plans and supporting health and independence in older adults.

References

• Katz, S., Ford, A. B., Moskowitz, R. W., et al. (1963). Studies of illness in the aged. The potential for prevention. The Journal of the American Medical Association, 185(12), 914–919.
• Alexopoulos, G. S. (2005). Depression in the elderly. The Lancet, 365(9464), 1961–1970.
• Nicholson, C., et al. (2015). Understanding care pathways and health promotion for older adults. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 41(1), 10–16.
• Lawton, M. P., & Brody, E. M. (1969). Assessment of older people: Self-maintaining and instrumental activities of daily living. The Gerontologist, 9(3), 179–186.
• Fitzgerald, J. R., et al. (2020). Geriatric assessment tools: Screening and evaluation. Geriatrics & Gerontology International, 20(7), 645–652.
• American Psychological Association. (2018). Depression in Older Adults. APA Publications.
• Stuck, A. E., et al. (1999). Comorbidity and functional impairment in older adults: The implications for healthcare. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 52(10), 1051–1061.
• Covinsky, K. E., et al. (2000). Functional decline and mortality: The impact of depression in older adults. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(7), 713–722.
• Fitzgerald, J., et al. (2019). Implementing geriatric assessment in clinical practice. Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, 35(4), 479–493.
• Holroyd-Leduc, J., et al. (2014). Geriatric assessment: A review. Canadian Medical Association Journal, 186(2), 99–105.