To construct a needs assessment instrument for older people using a standardized terminology (International classification of functioning, disability, and health [ICF]) and assess its psychometrical properties.

An instrument was developed comprising questions to older people regarding their perceived care needs. The instrument’s reliability, validity, and utility were tested. Forty-one social workers and 251 older people participated.

The questions were sufficiently unambiguous (inter-rater reliability, intraclass correlation = .60–.80); measured a person’s care and service needs to a satisfactory extent (criteria validity, agreement between social workers’ and older people’s assessments = 72–94%); both social workers and older people considered the questions useful; and the needs of older people were documented in social records to a greater extent when the instrument was used.

The psychometric properties of the instrument support its use by social workers to gain relevant information on elder care needs.