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Articles related to focusing on healthy aging, prevention, mobility, cognition, nutrition, independence, and caregiving support.

Oct 10, 2025

3 min

What is the federally mandated standardized assessment tool for measuring health status in nursing home residents?: Understanding the Minimum Data Set (MDS)

Annually, millions of residents in Medicare and Medicaid-certified nursing homes are assessed using a powerful standardized instrument. This critical component of the Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) helps determine care needs and is the federally mandated standardized assessment tool for measuring health status in nursing home residents.

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Oct 5, 2025

4 min

What is the purpose of the MDS screening tool?

According to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Minimum Data Set (MDS) is a federally-mandated screening tool used for all residents in certified nursing facilities. The primary purpose of the MDS screening tool is to provide a standardized, comprehensive assessment of a resident’s health, functional capabilities, and overall well-being to drive person-centered care.

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