Assessment of older people 5 : assessing the social domain

The multidisciplinary and holistic assessment of older people allows health professionals to gain insight into their individual needs and provide them with person-centred care. The social domain is one of five key domains that must be explored when assessing older people. Social interaction and engagement are essential needs of all human beings but, as people age, they become more at risk of social isolation and disengagement, which can have multiple detrimental effects on both their mental and physical heath. This fifth article in a six-part series explores the social health needs of older people and how nurses can help address them