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PubMed1990

Cortical function assessment in the elderly.

The Cortical Function Assessment (CFA) is a 10-point test developed to overcome the limitations of current bedside mental status exams which emphasize orientation and memory. Items measure higher cortical function, such as naming, writing, drawing, and stereognosis. The test was given to young and old normal subjects, young and old depressive patients, and patients with dementia. Interrater reliability was high (alpha = .95) as was the correlation between it and the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (r = .87) and the Mini-Mental State (r = .92). The study demonstrates the utility of the CFA as a screening tool in dementia and depression in the elderly and suggests its use in routine geriatric evaluations.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1983

Emergency psychiatry for the elderly.

The complex presentation of the older patient in crisis places unusual demands on psychiatrists. The patients themselves may be unable or unwilling to seek psychiatric evaluation. For various reasons psychiatrists and other physicians may stereotype older patients and their problems. These problems are frequently complex and require sophistication on the part of the examiner. The psychiatrist's approach must be unhurried and flexible. The routine mental status examination must be expanded to include brief psychological testing. As the cases demonstrate, emergencies may present in unexpected contexts.

Aged↗