The present study investigated functional abilities in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, multi-infarct dementia (MID) patients, and age-equivalent healthy subjects by use of two different methods: caregiver rating (Scales of Independent Behavior) and performance- based testing (Shuctured Assessment of Independent Living Skills). Testing revealed different patterns of functional impairment between the patient groups: AD patients showed superior motor function relative to cognitive abilities, while MID patients were equally impaired in both domains. Compared with MID family members, caregivers of AD subjects rated the patients as more impaired than revealed by actual performance testing. This finding was associated with a greater reported degree of concern over patient disabilities. Assessment of functional status may vary according to the technique employed, the type of dementia, and the subjective response of the rater.
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DeBettignies et al. (1993) studied this question.