ABSTRACT
A fundamental purpose of comprehensive assessment is to identify impaired and spared
abilities of the individual with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the hands of a skilled
professional, the results of a comprehensive assessment provide the basis for the
design of meaningful care plans, document the need for appropriate services, and result
in optimal patient care. To obtain valid test results, clinicians must be able to
recognize and, when possible, control the influence of age-associated variables on
test performance. Also, clinicians must be knowledgeable about the many purposes of
assessment and consider them when selecting appropriate test instruments. Standardized
tests are now available that have been designed specifically to assess communicative
and cognitive function in persons with dementia of varying severity. In this article,
four standardized tests are described, with particular focus on the information they
provide about impaired and spared abilities. Measures that have been found to be useful
in screening for the presence of dementia also are discussed.
KEYWORD
Assessment - dementia - communication - cognition - Alzheimer's disease