Assessments, Tools and Resources
- ADAM Questionnaire
- Cancer in Older Persons
- Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire
- Dancing to Test Gait and Balance
- Guide to Cough Symptoms
- Guide to Health Promotion
- How Often Should I Be Screened for Cancer?
- Meals on Wheels
- Pain Assessment Tool
- Passport to Health
- Pathophysiology of Frailty
- Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Cancer
- Rapid Caregiver Well-Being Scale
- Rapid Cognitive Screen Assessment Tool
- Strategies to Prevent Frailty in Older Persons
- Ten Ways to Cope with Fear of Terrorism
Rapid Geriatric Assessment
The Rapid Geriatric Assessment (RGA) is a screening tool developed by the Geriatrics Division of Saint Louis University. The RGA includes assessment of frailty, nutrition, loss of muscle mass (sarcopenia), and cognitive function. It is part of the HRSA-funded Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) to improve the health of older Missourians by training primary care health providers in geriatric medicine. For more information on using this free tool, email aging@slu.edu.
SARC-F Translations:
SLU Geriatric Evaluation Mnemonics and Screening (SLU GEMS)
The Saint Louis University Geriatric Evaluation Mnemonics and Screening document is intended to assist clinicians in developing differential diagnoses, risk assessments or evaluation and management plans for common geriatric problems. These mnemonics will also enable the clinician to do this in a quick, yet comprehensive manner.
Print copies of the SLU GEMS booklet are available by sending an email request to aging@slu.edu.
Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam
The Saint Louis University Mental Status exam is an assessment tool for mild cognitive impairment and dementia and was developed in partnership with the Geriatrics Research, Education and Clinical Center at the St. Louis Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Download the SLU Mental Status Exam
Fall Prevention and Risk Assessment Tools
Although not all falls can be prevented, it is possible to minimize the risk of falling. The most important first step is to use validated (well-tested) instruments to assess risks or "risk factors" for falls. This will allow you and your team to design individualized care plans to reduce these risks and lead to reduced numbers of falls and fall injuries.
This video shows how to administer several such instruments, specifically: The Get Up and Go, Five-Chair Stand, Dual-Tasking, Orthostatic Hypotension, Postprandial Hypotension, Polypharmacy, Vitamin D Deficiency and Post-Fall Assessment.
View the Fall Risk Assessment Video
Fall Prevention in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents are twice as likely to fall as older adults who are living in the community. Every year about 1,800 people die as a result of falling in nursing homes. Of those who survive a fall, many suffer from fear of falling, disability, loss of function and reduced quality of life.
This video highlights common fall hazards found throughout a typical day for a nursing home resident. The locations addressed in this video are the bedroom, bathroom hallways and corridors. Lighting and out-of-doors falling hazards are also covered. Footwear and wheelchair safety are also discussed.
View the Fall Prevention in Nursing Homes Video
This project was supported by funds from the Bureau of Health Professions(BHPr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) under grant number UB4HP19060, Gateway Geriatric Education Center, for $418,203. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by the BHPr, HRSA, DhhS, or the U.S. government.