ABSTRACT
If all needs relating to ongoing health problems are to be met effectively, and if individuals are to be assisted with improving their overall quality of life, then comprehensive and holistic assessments are crucial. Such assessments will focus on both immediate and potential future needs and will consider the psychological, social, emotional, physical and spiritual dimensions of the whole person. This will require attentive listening to the individual’s narrative of their illness so that their needs, views and wishes are at the centre of all decisions made. The overall aim of such assessments is to establish the type and range of support needed to maintain independent living and to improve psychological well-being and resilience, while maintaining and developing social networks and delaying deterioration in physical or mental health. The assessment of needs, and decision-making to address health issues, are never one-off activities but ongoing processes dictated by the changing needs of the person, their family and carers (DoH 2005a). This is by no means an easy task and will depend on a number of factors, not least the setting in which care is provided and the background and skill of the assessor. However, what is crucial is that assessments are sufficiently structured and detailed to afford an overview of the totality of the individual’s needs, problems, wishes and, indeed, strengths.
