E A Scharaga1, R Holtzer. 1. Roee Holtzer, Ph.D. Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology and Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, NY, USA. Phone: 718 430-3962; Fax: 718 430-3960; email: roee.holtzer@einstein.yu.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Functional losses are common in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults. However, subtle declines in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are not always detected in self-reports. Performance IADL measurements are financially and time burdensome, restricting their use in varied settings. To address these limitations, we developed the Brief Everyday Activities Measure (BEAM), a short (< 5 minutes) objective IADL measure that assesses medication and finance management. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: The BEAM was administered to 209 cognitively non-demented community-dwellers (ages 65 - 95 years). MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed standardized motor, neuropsychological, psychological, and self-report functional assessments. RESULTS: BEAM completion time ranged from 54.16 to 259.31 seconds. Interclass correlations (ICC) for total BEAM completion time was moderate (0.65, 95% CI [.43 -.78]). Accuracy for total BEAM performance was in the low-moderate range (Kappa = 0.38, p < .001, 95% CI [.18 -.54]). As predicted, lower accuracy and longer time to complete the BEAM were both associated with worse executive functions, attention, and processing speed. CONCLUSIONS: Medication and finance management can be efficiently assessed within five minutes. The BEAM may be a valuable screening tool to evaluate these functional abilities.
OBJECTIVES: Functional losses are common in healthy and cognitively impaired older adults. However, subtle declines in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) are not always detected in self-reports. Performance IADL measurements are financially and time burdensome, restricting their use in varied settings. To address these limitations, we developed the Brief Everyday Activities Measure (BEAM), a short (< 5 minutes) objective IADL measure that assesses medication and finance management. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: The BEAM was administered to 209 cognitively non-demented community-dwellers (ages 65 - 95 years). MEASUREMENTS: Participants completed standardized motor, neuropsychological, psychological, and self-report functional assessments. RESULTS: BEAM completion time ranged from 54.16 to 259.31 seconds. Interclass correlations (ICC) for total BEAM completion time was moderate (0.65, 95% CI [.43 -.78]). Accuracy for total BEAM performance was in the low-moderate range (Kappa = 0.38, p < .001, 95% CI [.18 -.54]). As predicted, lower accuracy and longer time to complete the BEAM were both associated with worse executive functions, attention, and processing speed. CONCLUSIONS: Medication and finance management can be efficiently assessed within five minutes. The BEAM may be a valuable screening tool to evaluate these functional abilities.
Authors: Douglas Galasko; David A Bennett; Mary Sano; Daniel Marson; Jeff Kaye; Steven D Edland Journal: Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord Date: 2006 Oct-Dec Impact factor: 2.703
Authors: S A M Sikkes; E S M de Lange-de Klerk; Y A L Pijnenburg; P Scheltens; B M J Uitdehaag Journal: J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry Date: 2009-01 Impact factor: 10.154