To address this need a new assessment instrument was developed. The core of the instrument consists of focused geriatric assessment by a health or social care practitioner working in primary or community care, most often a nurse. The assessment data result in an efficiently targeted care and welfare action plan based on the patients¡¯ priorities.
This instrument was initially developed, tested and spread within Europe, and then in validation studies across all WHO regions of the world. Because of the urgent societal questions on quality and sustainability of primary health care, especially for older people, we briefly review and summarize the development and evidence base of the instrument, which was called EASY-Care Standard. In a series of studies across many populations it proved to have high acceptability, reliability, validity and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, EASY-Care has great potential as a universal tool for global use in promoting independence in old age, and can make an important contribution to the quality and sustainability of health and social care in our aging societies.