Diagnostic differences in memory test based predictions of functional capacity in the elderly

Abstract

An attempt was made to predict the functional capacities of elderly individuals utilizing three memory tests as the predictor variables and the Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills (PASS) as the criterion instrument. The total sample consisted of patients with dementia, major depression, and healthy elderly controls, ranging in age from 60 to 87 years. The PASS was administered in the subjects' residences two weeks and approximately six months after the neuropsychological assessments were administered. Correlations between the memory tests and the PASS score were consistently high when the sample as a whole was considered. However, the correlations demonstrated substantial variability when the depression and dementia subjects' data were analysed separately. It was concluded that memory tests may be valid predictors of functional capacities in heterogeneous samples of elderly individuals. However, different tests may vary in validity level in different discrete diagnostic groups.