Cognitive and affective assessment of the geriatric patient.

Assessing patients' cognitive function requires astute observational skills and a willingness to put aside stereotypes about aging. History taking is an essential aspect of this process and requires nurses to gather information from patients, family members, and significant others. Nurses must assess and distinguish age-related changes from those precipitated by cognitive and mood disorders. In addition, they must be familiar with presenting symptoms of organic disorders such as dementias, and mood disorders such as depression in order to assess older adults for cognitive impairment and collaborate in planning care for these patients.