Which concept focuses on functional outcomes in geriatric care?

Which concept focuses on functional outcomes in geriatric care?

• A. Economic Impact
• B. Gait Abnormalities
• C. Functional Status
• D. Evidence-Based Practices

Answer: (C)

Functional status measures a patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), along with mobility, balance, and endurance. In geriatrics, these aspects directly reflect how health conditions affect daily independence and quality of life, which are the core concerns when evaluating functional outcomes. Care plans, rehabilitation goals, and discharge decisions hinge on maintaining or improving this level of independence, making functional status the most direct and comprehensive indicator of functional outcomes. Economic impact is about costs and resource use, not how well someone functions day to day. Gait abnormalities describe a single motor issue rather than the overall capacity to carry out daily activities. Evidence-based practices refer to applying research to care, not to measuring the patient’s functional abilities.

Functional status measures a patient’s ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs), along with mobility, balance, and endurance. In geriatrics, these aspects directly reflect how health conditions affect daily independence and quality of life, which are the core concerns when evaluating functional outcomes. Care plans, rehabilitation goals, and discharge decisions hinge on maintaining or improving this level of independence, making functional status the most direct and comprehensive indicator of functional outcomes.

Economic impact is about costs and resource use, not how well someone functions day to day. Gait abnormalities describe a single motor issue rather than the overall capacity to carry out daily activities. Evidence-based practices refer to applying research to care, not to measuring the patient’s functional abilities.