The relationship between functional status and judgment/problem solving among individuals with dementia

OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between functional status (independent activities of daily living) and judgment/problem solving and the extent to which select demographic characteristics such as dementia subtype and cognitive measures may moderate that relationship in older adult individuals with dementia. METHODS: The National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Universal Data Set was accessed for a study sample of 3,855 individuals diagnosed with dementia. Primary variables included functional status, judgment/problem solving, and cognition. RESULTS: Functional status was related to judgment/problem solving (r = 0.66; p < 0.0005). Functional status and cognition jointly predicted 56% of the variance in judgment/problem solving (R(2) = 0.56, p < 0.0005). As cognition decreases, the prediction of poorer judgment/problem solving by functional status became stronger. CONCLUSIONS: Among individuals with a diagnosis of dementia, declining functional status as well as declining cognition should raise concerns about judgment/problem solving.