Validation of a Brief Screen to Identify Persons With Dementia at Risk for Behavioral Problems

Objectives: Clinical assessment of persons with dementia should include potential causes of behavioral problems, including pain, depression, and caregiver-patient relationship quality. Many validated assessment tools are available; however, a brief screening tool is needed, as administering a battery of instruments is impractical in most clinical settings. We evaluated (a) the construct validity of brief screens for pain, depression, and relationship strain by examining their associations with validated measures and medication use and (b) the predictive validity of each screen and the screens as a set by examining their associations with frequency of disruptive behaviors. Methods: Patient-caregiver dyads (n = 228) in Aggression Prevention Training for Caregivers were examined. Results: There was evidence of good construct validity for each screen. The relationship screen and total number of screens endorsed were significantly associated with frequency of disruptive behaviors. Conclusion: The brief screens show potential for use in clinical practice.