Assessment can be a single event for a specific purpose or a feature of an ongoing relationship between an older person and a care professional. If it is to be effective, wherever it is undertaken, whatever its purpose and whoever assesses, a sound understanding of older people and the influences on their lives and health is essential - the decisions can be life-changing. The relevant sections in the book offer information on age-related changes, how these manifest, how to assess them and what conclusions could be drawn. The book is divided into five sections: the current health and social care context; individuality in later life and the influences upon this; details of a range of foundations for care and support, including the influence of environment, the effects of normal ageing, communication and risk; essential elements for life, including physiological functioning, eating and drinking, and elimination; and key contributors to quality of life.