Assessing the mental status of the cognitively impaired elderly

Changes in mental status are often the first indication of changes in psychophysiological functioning of the older person. A brief and accurate mental status assessment is an essential part of a complete geriatric assessment. The MMSE, SPMSQ, CCSE, or NCSE may be used to aid in assessing the mental status of the cognitively impaired older person. Further testing and the reporting of results of mental status assessments among varying older populations is needed to build on the current level of knowledge of mental status assessment of the cognitively impaired older person.