---
title: "Geriatric assessment: what it is and when to ask"
description: "A comprehensive geriatric assessment looks at health, function, memory, mood, medicines and home. What it covers, who does it, and when to ask for one."
url: https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/geriatric-assessment/
updated: 2026-10-10
site: Senior Choice Care
---

Explainer

# What is a geriatric assessment?

When problems pile up, falls, memory, medicines, a full assessment can tie the threads together.

**2 minute read** Updated October 9, 2026Written by the Senior Choice Care team

In short

A geriatric assessment is a broad evaluation of an older adult's health, daily function, memory, mood, medicines, nutrition, safety and support at home, often done by a geriatrician or a team. It's worth asking for after falls, memory changes, many medicines, or a sharp decline. The Hartford Institute notes a full assessment should follow when screening finds problems.

**Written by the Senior Choice Care team** Updated October 9, 2026. Facts are checked against the sources listed at the end of this page. General information; every family is different.

## What it usually covers

- Medical problems and medicines
- Daily function (ADLs and IADLs)
- Memory and mood
- Falls, balance and mobility
- Nutrition, hearing and vision
- Home safety and caregiver support

## When to ask

- Several falls, or fear of falling
- New memory or behavior changes
- Many medicines from several doctors
- Repeated hospital visits

## Questions families ask

### Who does a geriatric assessment?

Often a geriatrician, with nurses, social workers and therapists.

### Is a geriatric assessment covered by Medicare?

Ask the clinic how it bills; many parts are covered as ordinary visits.

### How long does it take?

Ask the clinic; some assessments span more than one visit.

### What should we bring?

All medicines, a list of doctors, and notes on recent changes.

## Sources

- [Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing: Katz Index of Independence in ADLs](https://hign.org/consultgeri/try-this-series/katz-index-independence-activities-daily-living-adl)
- [American Geriatrics Society: Training for geriatricians](https://www.americangeriatrics.org/geriatrics-profession/training-requirements/training-geriatricians)
- [National Institute on Aging: Taking medicines safely as you age](https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/medicines-and-medication-management/taking-medicines-safely-you-age)

## Read next

- [Assess](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/)
- [Geriatrician](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/geriatrician/)
- [ADLs](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/activities-of-daily-living/)
- [Cognitive tests](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/cognitive-tests-for-dementia/)
- [Care-level matcher](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/care-level-matcher/)
- [Caregiver burnout quiz](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/caregiver-burnout-quiz/)
- [IADLs](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/iadls/)
- [Is home care enough?](https://seniorchoicecare.com/assess/is-home-care-enough/)

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