What is the purpose of functional status assessment in geriatric care?

• A. To determine living arrangement preferences
• B. To forecast life expectancy
• C. To measure cognitive function only
• D. To determine ADL/IADL ability, identify assistance needs, and plan care/discharge

Answer: (D)

Assessing functional status in geriatric care focuses on what an older adult can actually do in daily life. It looks at activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, eating, toileting, transferring, continence, and mobility, as well as instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) like shopping, meal preparation, housekeeping, transportation, medication management, and finances. The main purpose is to determine the level of independence and what kind of assistance, devices, or supports are needed. This information directly guides care planning and discharge decisions—whether the person can live safely at home with services, needs home health support, or requires a higher level of care in a facility. While living arrangement preferences or prognosis may influence planning, functional status specifically addresses daily functioning to tailor care. It goes beyond cognitive testing by assessing physical and practical abilities that determine day-to-day safety and independence.