[The functional assessment as comprehensive geriatric assessment axis]

The comprehensive geriatric assessment (VGI) is a diagnostic process dynamic, structured, multidimensional and interdisciplinary to detect problems and needs of older people to develop an intervention strategy, although scientific evidence should not apply to all groups elderly. The VGI is developed by an interdisciplinary team, which plays a key role nursing. The framework nurse and nursing conceptual models, especially the 11 functional health patterns, enable the multidimensional assessment and subsequent intervention. The VGI covers four areas, clinic, mental, social and functional, although its axis, its importance and globalization concept is functional assessment. For this we have the history, physical examination and a series of specific instruments, geriatric assessment scales. They are a complement to, not only the VGI axis.