geriatrics
History Taking in the Older Adult
Key Points
Unless corrected, sensory deficits, especially hearing deficits, may interfere with history-taking. Many disorders in older adults manifest only as functional decline. As part of the drug history, the patient or a family member should be asked to bring in all the patient’s drugs, including over-the-counter drugs, at the initial visit and periodically thereafter. Health care practitioners must often interview caregivers to obtain the history of functionally dependent older patients. 