Accuracy and consistency of responses from persons with cognitive impairment

Abstract

This study examines the ability of persons with cognitive impairment ( n = 111) to provide consistent and accurate responses to questions about demographic characteristics and basic preferences. Persons with cognitive impairment were interviewed twice within a week using a parallel interview to determine stability and accuracy of responses. Family caregivers were interviewed once within the same time period. In general persons with mild to moderate cognitive impairment (i.e. MMSE scores from 13-26) were accurate and reliable in their ability to respond to questions about demographics and basic preferences. These results add further support to past findings that persons with cognitive impairment can be active participants in both research and practice.