Older adults are more likely than younger adults to have unrecognised medical issues and impairments that increase their risk of medical morbidity, functional decline, and mortality.

Functional impairments, cognitive and affective problems are particularly prevalent among older patients, and can be improved with early recognition and treatment.

Screening for functional limitations will enable appropriate management or referral at the earliest stage to provide for the best functional outcomes possible, to prevent limiations in older adults’ ability to perform independent activities of daily living (such as shopping, managing money etc) and basic activities of daily living (grooming, dressing, bathing, toileting, feeding).