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Screening for mental disorders in residential aged care facilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 April 2010

Nancy A. Pachana ,
Edward Helmes ,
Gerard J. A. Byrne ,
Barry A. Edelstein ,
Candace A. Konnert  and
Anne Margriet Pot
Nancy A. Pachana*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
Edward Helmes
Affiliation:
School of Psychology, James Cook University, Townsville, Australia
Gerard J. A. Byrne
Affiliation:
Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia Geriatric Psychiatry Service, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Australia
Barry A. Edelstein
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S.A.
Candace A. Konnert
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
Anne Margriet Pot
Affiliation:
Netherlands Institute of Mental Health and Addiction, Utrecht, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Psychology, VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Nancy A Pachana, School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. Phone: +617-3365-6832; Fax +617-3365-4466. Email: npachana@psy.uq.edu.au.
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Abstract

Introduction: The International Psychogeriatric Association Task Force on Mental Health Services in Long-Term Care Facilities seeks to improve care of persons in residential aged care facilities (RACFs). As part of that effort the current authors have contributed an overview and discussion of the uses of brief screening instruments in RACFs.

Methods: While no current guidelines on the use of screening instruments in nursing homes were found, relevant extant guidelines were consulted. The literature on measurement development, testing standards, psychometric considerations and the nursing home environment were consulted.

Results: Cognitive, psychiatric, behavioral, functional and omnibus screening instruments are described at a category level, along with specifics about their use in a RACF environment. Issues surrounding the selection, administration, interpretation and uses of screening instruments in RACFs are discussed. Issues of international interest (such as translation of measures) or clinical concern (e.g. impact of severe cognitive decline on assessment) are addressed. Practical points surrounding who can administer, score and interpret such screens, as well as their psychometric and clinical strengths more broadly, are articulated.

Conclusions: Guidelines for use of screening instruments in the RACF environment are offered, together with broad recommendations concerning the appropriate use of brief screening instruments in RACFs. Directions for future research and policy directions are outlined, with particular reference to the international context.

Keywords

agingresidential aged carescreening instrumentstranslation of measurespsychometrics
Type
Focus on mental health issues in long-term-care homes
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 22 , Special Issue 7: Focus on mental health issues in long-term-care homes , November 2010 , pp. 1107 - 1120
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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