Standardized Assessment for Elderly People (SAFE)--a feasibility study in district nursing

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Health Policy
• Nursing Practice

Background:

• Current healthcare policies mandate systematic and comprehensive assessments for elderly individuals.
• A notable gap exists in standardized assessment tools for geriatric populations.
• This research addresses the need for effective assessment instruments in elderly care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report on the development of the SAFE (Systematic Approach to the Functional Elderly) assessment measures.
• To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the SAFE assessment in district nursing practice.
• To identify areas for improvement in the SAFE assessment tool for elderly patients.

Main Methods:

• Development of the SAFE assessment measures by a multidisciplinary working party.
• Conducting a feasibility study of the SAFE tool within district nursing settings.
• Examining outcomes including assessment completion rates, time efficiency, patient/carer/nurse acceptability, and training needs.

Main Results:

• The SAFE assessment measures were developed by a multidisciplinary working party.
• Feasibility study demonstrated SAFE's practicality and acceptability among district nurses, patients, and carers.
• Identified need for further refinement of the SAFE assessment instruments.

Conclusions:

• The SAFE assessment tool is a viable and acceptable instrument for district nurses assessing elderly individuals.
• Further modifications to the SAFE tool are recommended to enhance its utility in comprehensive elderly care.
• The study supports the integration of standardized assessment tools in geriatric nursing practice.