UC Davis

Older adults display heterogeneous changes in anatomy and physiology. These changes often lead to atypical presentation of diseases, loss of function, and increased risk of disability. Older adults are also most likely to have multiple comorbidities1; they often overestimate healthiness and underestimate severity of disease. It is important that healthcare professionals develop competencies and skills necessary for comprehensive assessment to prevent or reduce disability, while maximizing function in older adults. Health professionals should be able to perform geriatric-tailored physical exams and measure physical, cognitive, psychological, social, and environmental domains of health. This chapter presents an overview of a systematic and sequential physical examination of older adults and describes various techniques commonly performed in primary care settings. Both comprehensive and focused exams are covered using the four cardinal techniques of examination: inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation. Unlike traditional physical examination in other populations, assessment of the older adult calls for enhanced focus on functional assessment during the physical exam.