Functional skill regression in late-stage dementias.

One hundred fifty-two institutionalized persons with late-stage dementia were rated with a geriatric developmental screening scale that notes cognitive, language, sensorimotor, and self-care abilities. The results showed that the loss of functional abilities in late-stage dementias seems to occur in reverse order of their development in childhood. Developmental congruence was noted within these persons regardless of diagnosis. In addition, the average functional age rating correlated well with scores from the Folstein Mini Mental State examination (MMS) (Folstein, Folstein, & McHugh, 1975): The close correlation between scores indicates that the MMS is a fast and simple tool for predicting not only cognitive impairment but also the approximate stage of functional development.