ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on screening in the community and screening of benefit to the elderly. The National Service Framework for Older People included a recommendation that elderly people should receive some form of single assessment 'matched to their individual circumstances', a process which can be carried out either by postal questionnaire or face-to-face. Since 1990, primary care teams have been required to offer an annual screening assessment to all patients over the age of 75 years. The terms of the 1990 Contract for General Practice in the National Health Service included the expectation that GPs or other members of the practice team would offer these patients a home visit at least annually to see the home environment. A system of regular surveillance and case finding in primary care would seem to be the most appropriate form of screening, particularly in individuals aged 75 years or over, but the resource implications of this for general practice must be confronted.
