• older people receive appropriate, effective and timely responses to their health and social care needs
• professional resources are used effectively.

TSO and interRAI developed the Needs Assessment Form for Older People as an off-the-shelf, Minimum Data Assessment tool.

interRAI ’s components map directly onto the four levels of assessment specified in the SAP: initial contact, overview, in-depth and comprehensive. TSO provides the contact, the overview and the comprehensive assessments. These can stand alone or make up part of the whole picture. Logical links and assessment protocols will help the assessor make a sound decision for each client. Click here for more details.

From gaining the client’s consent to in-depth questioning, each older person’s needs take a pre-eminent position. The structure of the forms encourages client involvement and allows their thoughts and wishes to be recorded. At the same time, its ease of use allows assessors to concentrate on vital change and cultural issues without the quality of the data being compromised in any way.

To understand the widespread usage of MDS internationally, and to follow through on the research that underpins the validity of the tool, you can visit www.interrai.org