Assessment of elderly people in general practice. 4. Depression, functional ability and contact with services.

The aim of this study was to look at the interrelationship between depression, physical disability and contact with services. In a random sample of 239 people aged 75 years and over from nine general practices in north London, depression (as measured by a shortened version of the comprehensive assessment and referral evaluation schedule) was found to be significantly associated with being a woman, and inability to perform a number of activities of daily living. Consumption of three or more prescribed medicines, a home visit by the general practitioner in the previous three months and contact with health visitors and home helps were all significantly more likely among depressed patients.

Are elderly people living alone an at risk group?

Objective: To test the hypothesis that elderly people living alone are an at risk group with a high level of morbidity that makes high demands on health and social services.

Design: Secondary analysis of data from a community survey of 239 people aged 75 and over, identified from general practitioners' age-sex registers.

Setting: Nine practices in the London boroughs of Brent and Islington.

Alcohol consumption by elderly people: a general practice survey.

A random sample of 241 patients from General Practice registers in London were interviewed to assess alcohol consumption, cognitive impairment, depression and other factors. Fifty-one per cent of men and 22% of women reported use of alcohol in the previous 3 months. No significant association was found between reported drinking status and age, score on a depression scale, falls in the previous 3 months, attendance at outpatient clinics or inpatient care in the previous year.

Assessment of elderly people in general practice. 2. Functional abilities and medical problems.

A random sample of 239 patients aged 75 years and over registered with general practitioners in north and north west London was selected for home assessment to determine the functional abilities and medical problems of this group of patients. Nearly one in five of the patients were incontinent of urine (18.4%), although this was on a daily basis for only 4.

Assessment of elderly people in general practice. 1. Social circumstances and mental state.

A survey of patients aged 75 years and over registered with general practitioners in north and north west London was carried out by trained interviewers to investigate cognitive impairment. A random sample of 239 patients was selected for the more detailed home assessment. General practitioners had seen nearly two thirds (65.