Using cognitive-functional assessment to predict self-care performance of memory care tenants

A challenge in admitting individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias into memory care residential facilities is determining the appropriate level of service based on abilities and care needs. At intake, the incoming tenant's functional performance capacity is obtained through family or proxy report corroborated with screening results of global cognitive function. Based on this information, the agency determines the level of service needs; if misjudged, inadequate placement can be stressful for the individual and family and costly for the facility. This study examined the predictive validity of a clinically administered assessment of cognitive-functional performance, Cognitive Performance Test (CPT), in gauging service needs in 4 activities of daily living (ADL; dressing, eating/feeding, showering, and toothbrushing) with 57 tenants residing in a memory care-assisted living facility. Linear regression results revealed a significant relationship between CPT scores and ADL performance in all areas (P <.001) with CPT scores accounting for 51% to 62% of the variability in performance.