Gerontology & Geriatric Research

Abstract

Developing a Mini-3D (Delirium, Dementia, and Depression) Assessment Scale for the Elderly

Ya-Lie Ku, Li-Yu Chuang, Shu-Ming Chen and Hui-Ling Wang

This study developed a mini-3D (delirium, dementia, and depression) assessment scale for the elderly. Initially, the research team developed the items of a mini-3D assessment scale based on the findings of an integrated literature review and their teaching and clinical experience during May-October 2017. Later, three experts in the psychiatric and geriatric fields evaluated the mini-3D assessment using a 5-point Likert scale. The content validity index of the mini-3D assessment scale approached 0.83 (4.125/5). Subsequently, the scale was revised by a psychiatrist who had worked in the Center of Geriatrics and Gerontology of Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan. Finally, the three parts of the mini-3D assessment scale (total score: 17) for the elderly included demographic information as well as items for assessing delirium (red areas; max score: 7), dementia (green areas; max score: 8), and depression (blue areas; max score: 2). After establishing the content validity of the scale in May–October 2017, the research team will continue to construct the reliability and validity of the scale for the elderly in the future. The final goal is to construct the scale’s reliability and validity for quickly and easily assessing delirium, dementia, and depression in the elderly in a clinical setting, including long-term care facilities. Future studies could evaluate the scale’s generalizability and universality by testing it in other countries.