Medical assessment of the elderly patient

The major differences in evaluation of old individuals arise in the way one collects data, the attention to detail in physical examination, and the high suspicion for disease required when nonspecific complaints are made. There is no doubt that it takes longer to assess an old person, but the clinician who is familiar with evaluating old people watches in every interaction for subtle clues that might point toward diagnosis. The successful therapeutic interventions in many old people, especially when disease is detected early, should be adequate incentive to take the extra steps necessary for proper evaluation of the elderly individual.