Assessing social function in the elderly.

Physicians and health care providers need to assess aspects of their patients' social functioning. This article discusses assessment of social relationships, social activities, social environment and resources, social support, caregivers and caregiver burden, and quality of life in the context of what a health care provider might need to know. Incorporating appropriate questions is emphasized as much as using more formal measures. This article explores ways in which such assessment of social function may be incorporated into routine practice, and suggests when more specialized assessments might be ordered from community agencies.