Functional disability of geriatric patients in a family medicine program: implications for patient care, education, and research.

While the elderly comprise a large proportion of patients seen in ambulatory care settings, characteristics of these patients have not been well documented. This paper summarizes results of a survey of functional impairment of elderly patients seen in a family medicine center. Assessments were performed in the areas of social and economic resources, mental health, physical health, and the ability to perform routine activities needed for independent living. Results of the survey suggest that family physicians need to know how to perform a multidimensional functional assessment in order to formulate a comprehensive treatment plan for elderly patients.