Examining the Whole Person
A geriatrician will assess:
- Function: how well an individual carries out day-to-day living activities
- Physical health: the general health status and existing symptoms or concerns
- Emotional health: the general mood, temperament, and ability to cope with stress
- Social well being: the level and quality of interactions with family, friends, and others
- Illness mastery: the degree to which an individual and his or her caretakers understand existing illnesses and how effectively medications, or multiple medications, are treating the illnesses and their symptoms
