Cognitive ability as a predictor of self-care performance and change in the elderly

Two measures of cognitive ability (a mental status questionnaire and a psychometric test of verbal learning and memory) were compared as predictors of three measures of self-care (self-report, informant ratings and performance testing). Self-care ability of 150 elderly in residential homes was measured at baseline and after two years. Cognitive ability was significantly related to self-care ability at baseline and 2 years and to the changes in self-care during follow-up. However, this relationship was moderate and complex.