Rating scales in old age psychiatry.

<bold>Background: </bold>There is a vast array of scales available to assess all aspects of mental and physical health in older people which may be of relevance to the work of old age psychiatrists.<bold>Aims: </bold>To summarise some of the scales that may be commonly used in clinical and research practice and to give the reader guidelines as to where further information can be obtained.<bold>Method: </bold>The scales were selected on the basis of the authors' own clinical and research knowledge and information was gathered from a comprehensive text on assessment scales in old age psychiatry. Results The selected scales are described in brief and a table outlines the purposes for which they are most suitable.<bold>Conclusions: </bold>Although many scales are available, the choice of the individual scale relies specifically on the question that is to be asked. The ideal scale does not exist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]