Cognitive screening in geriatric rehabilitation

Objective: To aid rehabilitation psychologists' selection of brief measures of cognition for use in geriatric rehabilitation. Design: Literature review of neuropsychological screening measures that have been used and researched in geriatric rehabilitation, along with some newer instruments that have potential efficacy. Conclusions: All of the cognitive screening measures reviewed have varying degrees of strength and weakness in a geriatric rehabilitation setting. Thus, choosing the appropriate instrument often hinges on both pragmatic (e.g., administration time, nature of the referral, availability of population-specific norms) and psychometric concerns. Although tests are valuable tools, the lack of available research for many tests must be corrected before the practicing clinician can feel comfortable using them as integral aspects of geriatric rehabilitation.