Psychologic and Behavioral Assessment of Geriatric Patients: A Review†

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Abstract
A review of the literature and a study conducted at a psychiatric hospital indicated that valid psychologic test results on geriatric patients were often difficult to obtain. Reasons most frequently offered by psychometricians for inconclusive or incomplete findings were the patient''s uncooperativeness, unavailability or severity of physical/mental dysfunction. A need was apparent for alternate assessment instruments for measuring current and potential levels of functioning in the elderly. In the investigation, attention was focused on the following areas: studies in which the more traditional measurements were used, articles stressing the need for caution in using the traditional techniques and studies in which behavioral rating scales and checklists were used as the evaluative devices. A large number of checklists and behavioral rating scales were relevant and applicable to an institutional setting.