Measure/maneuver | Organ system and impairment assessed | Associated functional limitations |
Neuromusculoskeletal impairments |
Clasp hands behind head and behind back | Internal and external rotation and abduction of the shoulder, elbow flexion | Dressing (especially upper body), grooming, bathing, and housework |
Place ankle on opposite knee | External rotation of the hip, hip flexion, and knee flexion | Dressing lower body, bathing, toileting |
Pick up a penny from the floor - To isolate hand function from sitting balance and vision, place penny on table or opposite hand
| Pinch strength, sensation and fine motor coordination, sitting balance, vision | Cooking, feeding self, grooming, dressing, housework |
Chair Rise test - Rise from straight chair without using arms. Assess qualitatively and/or time 5 consecutive chair rises
| Lower-extremity strength (especially hip and knee) | Bathing safety, toilet transfers, falls |
Rise on tip toes - Test single heel rise in healthy adults, bilateral heel rise in frail older adults
| Lower-extremity strength (especially ankle strength), balance | Stair climbing, housework, bathing safety, falls |
Gentle nudge to the sternum | Ankle, hip, and trunk strength; balance | Housework, bathing safety, falls |
Get Up and Go test - Rise and stand from a chair without using arms, walk across room (10 feet), return, sit down
| Lower-extremity strength (especially hip and knee); balance; gross motor coordination | Mobility, bathing safety, toilet transfers, housework |
Two-minute walk test - Walk at usual pace for 2 minutes, measure distance
| Endurance | Community mobility, shopping |
Sensory and cognitive impairments |
Whisper test | High-frequency hearing | Short-term memory, social function, telephone use |
Read a line of 11- to 12-point font | Near vision loss | Medication management, reading |
Snellen chart | Distance vision loss | Driving |
Geriatric depression screen | Mood disorders | Short-term memory, social function |
Time and Change Test - Tell the time from a clock face set at 11:10, make USD $1 in change from 3 quarters, 7 dimes, and 7 nickels
| Cognitive impairment | Instrumental activities of daily living |
Clock Drawing Test - Patient draws a clock face and sets hands to 11:10
| Executive dysfunction | Medication management, financial management, social function |
STOPP criteria | Potentially inappropriate medications | Short-term memory, balance |
Contextual factors |
Ask "Do you have trouble with stairs inside or outside of your home?" | Physical environment and home safety | Falls, social function |
Ask "How confident are you that you can take a bath or shower or get on and off the toilet without falling?" - Scale:
- 0 = Not confident at all
- 10 = Completely confident
| Physical environment and home safety | Falls, hygiene |
Ask "Who would be able to help you in case of illness or emergency?" | Social support | Weight loss, medication management, financial management, social function |
Caregiver Burden Scale | Caregiver stress | Social function |
Mini Nutritional Assessment short form | Malnutrition | Weight loss, physical performance |