Table 3.
Attributes of ageing, assessment tools and population thresholds (if available).
| Attribute | Recommended interpretation (italics indicates tools have been validated) | Identified population thresholds |
|---|---|---|
| Online surveys | ||
| Psychological distress16 | Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) 16 | Yes16 |
| Sleep quality17,18 | Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) 17 | Yes17 |
| Oral health19,20 | Oral Health Questionnaire19 | No |
| Nutrition21,22 | Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire (SNAQ)21 and selected questions on food types and portions from Australian Dietary Guidelines | No |
| Speech and hearing23 | Speech, Spatial and Qualities of Hearing Questionnaire (SSQ5) 23 | No |
| Continence24 | Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire (PFBQ) 24 | No |
| Physical activity25 | Active Australia Survey (AAS) (The Active Australia Survey, 2003)25 | Yes25 |
| Frailty4 | Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) 4 | No |
| Objective measurements | ||
| Mobility26,27 | Six Minute Walk Test (SMWT)26,27 | Yes27 |
| Perceived exertion28 | Borg Exertion Scale28 | Yes28 |
| Dyspnoea10 | Borg Dyspnoea Scale10 | Yes10 |
| Cognition29 | General Practitioner Cognition Scale (GPCog)29 | Yes29 |
| Anthropometry30 | BMI; waist circumference; waist–hip ratio; fat mass; muscle mass; triceps skin fold30 | Yes30 |
| Lung function31 | FEV1, FVC, lung ratio31 | Yes31 |
| Grip strength32–34 | Handheld dynamometer32–34 | Yes33,34 |
| Muscle function, functional strength, stability35 | Functional Movement Screen (FMS)35 | No |
| Flexibility35 | Functional Movement Screen (FMS)35 | No |
| Balance36 | Balance Screening Tool(BST)36 | No |
| Audiometry37 | Functional Hearing Assessment37 | Partial (minimum hearing norms (20–25 Db) are built into the tests)37 |
| Vision assessment (if not tested in previous 12 months)38 | Standard Vision Chart38 | No |
| Dexterity39–41 | The Purdue Dexterity Test39 | Yes39,40 |
| Reaction time42,43 | Simple Response Time; Choice Response Time43 | No |
| Foot sensation44 | Monofilament testing44 | No |
| Reflexes45 | Biceps tendon (elbow); patella tendon (knee)45 | No |
BMI: body mass index; FEV1: forced expiratory volume in 1 s; FVC: forced vital capacity.