The Importance of Adapting Functional Test Instructions for Older Adults with Neurocognitive Disorders

Abstract

The assessment of the risk of falling in geriatric rehabilitation is often using standardized functional tests, which may be more complex but less representative in older adults with a neurocognitive disorder. The conceptual aim of this manuscript was thus to discuss the impact of adapted instructions on physical performance during standardized functional tests for older with neurocognitive disorders (NCD). Six topics were addressed: 1) current and global profile of falls in older, 2) fall assessment, 3) neurocognitive disorders in the older adults, 4) relationship between cognitive impairment and functional performance, 5) impact of the instructions on functional assessments in an older population, and finally 6) an overview of the future perspectives on possible adaptations for functional assessments in older adults with NCD. We believe that it is realistic and feasible to address adapted instructions to patients with NCD in clinical settings to optimize their assessment of their risk of falling.