Cognitive Assessment for Older Adults

Dunya

Hello,

I'm an OT working in the USA (studied in Canada) with older adults with various neurological conditions. I am looking for a cognitive assessment to help determine whether a patient is able to manage their own medication, make safe judgments about use of stove, and other ADL skills required for living safely independently. I use the MoCA, Allen Cognitive Screen and other assessments which provides some information. Now I want something that is specifically functional/ADL-based (not a pen-and-paper assessment).

I welcome hearing people's experiences and what assessments they use and recommend.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Take care,
Dunya

Claudia K. Allen

It is a shame that you only were taught about the screen and not how to use the score. Fortunately, a new edition is available now as The Allen App. You can check it out at www.acdmweb.com.
The ACLs originally went to the 25 ACL modes to be sensitive enough to assist with the titration of medications. The new app has 9 ACL profiles to help with discharge planning and ADLs are at the top of the list of what we need to know. You might also be interested in the analysis of adaptive equipment by the 25 ACL modes.
Hope this helps!
Claudia Allen

Dunya

Hi Dr. Allen,

Thanks for the information. I was not aware of the ACLS-6 and the 25 ACL modes. I have found the screen quite helpful and anticipate The Allen App will be more so. Thanks for sharing the info.

Kindly,
Dunya

akiral

I would highly recommend taking an AMPS course to become a calibrated rater for the AMPS. It's relatively quick and easy to observe a client performing two ADL/IADL tasks, and then scoring their motor and process skills. It gives you a lot of good information about safety and ability to live independently!

Dunya

Thank you, akiral, for suggesting the AMPS. I have been considering it for a little while now, hesitating because of the time and financial investment. Sounds like it might be worth it. I'd like to hear more about your experience with it, if that's okay. I'll send you a private message.
Thanks again!

Leani Kemp

Hi,

You can maybe take a look at FIMS or FAMS.

It might be more physical but has scoring for cognitive skills as well. You score on a scale to see how independant the client is with ADL tasks and other meassures eg writing, reading, ect.

Goodluck
Leani

Lhyde1

Hi there,

I work at a Family Health Team (primary care setting) in Ontario. I frequently do functional assessments as part of our memory clinic assessment, primarily if there is + discrepancy between testing and reported function. I found the Executive Function Performance Test very helpful at first. I will tailor the assessment (i.e muffins versus oatmeal) if the patient was/is an avid baker, etc., and to try and make it more client-centered, however I always still have the oatmeal as an option. I've also pulled verbal reasoning questions from the ILS. There is standardized scoring for the EFPT if that is what you're looking for as well.

Link to EFPT http://www.rehabmeasures.org/Lists/RehabMeasures/DispForm.aspx?ID=944

Hope this helps!

Lindsay