[Geriatric assessment. The status of current knowledge with reference to suitability criteria (discrimination,...

Comprehensive geriatric assessment was developed in the Anglo-American countries as a diagnostic process to better understand the effects of diseases and interactions of multiple chronic conditions. To standardize the use of assessment instruments, a working group of the two German geriatric societies has elaborated recommendations. As the first step, an expanded version of the screening according to Lachs should be used, followed by performing the Barthel-ADL, the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Geriatric Depression Scale, the 'Timed Up and Go' and the (Semi-) Tandem Stance. The expanded version of the screening of Lachs is helpful for targeting patients and for placement; the others are not useful for that purpose. No instrument satisfactorily fulfills all test criteria, which include validity, reliability, sensitivity, practicability and repeatability, and, in part, these dimensions are not investigated at all. All test instruments are diagnostic tools for functional status and capabilities but do not give information about resource needs. No instrument covers the new concept of ICIDH completely.