Abstract

Study Objectives: This study compares the Integrated Care for Older People Screening Tool - Taiwanese version (ICOPE-TW) and the FIND-NEEDS screening tools with the Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) in geriatric outpatients to identify geriatric problems.

Methods: Datawere collected from older adults aged 65 and above on their first visit to geriatric clinics. Participants were assessed using FIND-NEEDS, ICOPE-TW, and CGA. Correlation analysis with the Phi coefficient (φ) examined relationships between binary scores of relevant domains.

Results: A total of 159 older adults, with amean age of 78.9 ± 7.6 years, completed FIND-NEEDS, ICOPETW, and CGA. Functional impairment (FI), cognitive impairment, and inappropriate polypharmacy were the most prevalent conditions (> 60%). FIND-NEEDS strongly correlated with CGA (φ = 0.81–0.97, p < 0.001) for FI, urinary incontinence, malnutrition, visual impairment (VI), hearing impairment (HI), and social interaction. ICOPE-TW significantly correlated with CGA for VI and HI (φ = 0.82, 0.70, respectively, p < 0.001).

Conclusions: FIND-NEEDS is a reliable and user-friendly screening tool for identifying geriatric needs. The findings support the use of FIND-NEEDS as an efficient screening tool in geriatric outpatient settings, assisting in early detection and intervention.