Intake screening of institutionalized elders.

As the population in the United States ages, there will be proportionately more individuals requiring nursing home placement due to cognitive impairments. Infection is a common problem seen in nursing home residents, particularly those who are cognitively impaired, and the typical signs and symptoms are often obscured by more striking behavioral changes, such as increased confusion. Intake baseline screening including complete histories and complete physical examinations coupled with preventive health care visits may decrease the number of acute health problems which may ultimately decrease the number of acute hospitalizations.