Citation

Worden A, Challis D, Hancock G, Woods R, Orrell M. Aging Ment. Health 2008; 12(6): 719-728.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/13607860802154382

PMID

19023723

Abstract

Considerable effort has been invested in improving assessment processes for older people, some of the most vulnerable of whom live in care homes. The paper compares two well-known assessment tools used in care homes, the CANE and the Minimum Data Set/Resident Assessment Instrument. There was poor agreement between the tools in terms of domains of need covered. Nineteen pairs of items could be compared, with agreement greater than 60% found on 11 items. Of the 15 items where kappa could be computed, seven significant values were found. High levels of agreement existed in relation to behaviour, psychological wellbeing, mood state, psychotic symptoms, incontinence, mobility and inadvertent self-harm (risk). The study suggests that tools commonly used for assessment are not interchangeable and that the selection of assessment tool should be determined by the setting in which it is used, the needs of the population being assessed, the skills and knowledge of those undertaking the assessment and the purpose of the assessment itself.

Language: en

Keywords

Activities of Daily Living; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognition Disorders; Dementia; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Female; Geriatric Assessment; Health Services for the Aged; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Needs Assessment; Nursing Homes; Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; Reproducibility of Results; Residential Facilities; Surveys and Questionnaires; United Kingdom