Improving measurement of functional status among older adults in primary care: A pilot study.

Despite its importance for clinical care and outcomes among older adults, functional status-the ability to perform basic activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs)-is seldom routinely measured in primary care settings. The objective of this study was to pilot test a person-centered, interprofessional intervention to improve identification and management of functional impairment among older adults in Veterans Affairs (VA) primary care practices. The four-component intervention included (1) an interprofessional educational session; (2) routine, standardized functional status measurement among patients aged ≥75; (3) annual screening by nurses using a standardized instrument and follow-up assessment by primary care providers; and (4) electronic tools and templates to facilitate increased identification and improved management of functional impairment.

Using multiple qualitative methods to inform intervention development: Improving functional status measurement for older veterans in primary care settings.

Functional status, or the ability to perform activities of daily living, is central to older adults' health and quality of life. However, health systems have been slow to incorporate routine measurement of function into patient care. We used multiple qualitative methods to develop a patient-centered, interprofessional intervention to improve measurement of functional status for older veterans in primary care settings.

When Functional Impairment Develops Early: Perspectives from Middle-Aged Adults.

Background: Difficulty performing basic daily activities such as bathing and dressing ("functional impairment") affects more than 15% of middle-aged people, and this proportion is increasing. Little is known about the experiences and needs of individuals who develop functional impairment in middle age.

Objective: To examine the experiences and needs of adults who developed functional impairment in middle age.

"The More They Know, the Better Care They Can Give": Patient Perspectives on Measuring Functional Status in Primary Care.

Background: Despite its importance to care and outcomes for older adults, functional status is seldom routinely measured in primary care. Understanding patient perspectives is necessary to develop effective, patient-centered approaches for measuring function, yet we know little about patient views on this topic.

Objective: To examine patient and caregiver perspectives on measuring activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental ADLs (IADLs).

"We Have a Long Way to Go:" A Case Study Examination of Older Women Veterans' Experiences in VA Primary Care.

Women Veterans are a growing population with complex care needs. While previous research has examined the experiences of women Veterans, little attention has been paid to the specific experiences of older women Veterans. These case studies present the experiences of 2 older women Veterans who have been enrolled in Veterans Affairs (VA) health care for several decades.

What Is a Medication-Related Problem? A Qualitative Study of Older Adults and Primary Care Clinicians.

Background: Older adults often take multiple medications, leading to a myriad of medication-related problems. Addressing these problems requires thoughtful approaches that align with patients' perspectives and experiences.

Objective: To (1) identify and categorize medication-related problems from the patient perspective and (2) understand patient and clinician attitudes toward these problems and experiences with addressing these problems.

Making Function Part of the Conversation: Clinician Perspectives on Measuring Functional Status in Primary Care.

Objectives: Although there is increasing interest in using functional status to guide clinical decision making, function is seldom routinely assessed in primary care. We explored clinician perspectives on barriers and facilitators to routine measurement of older adults' functional status in primary care settings.

Design: Qualitative study using semistructured interviews.

Current approaches to measuring functional status among older adults in VA primary care clinics.

VA primary care clinics had widely varying approaches for assessing and documenting the functional status of geriatric patients.