B – 109 Caregiver-Reported Functional Impairment as a Predictor of Functional Performance in Cognitive Impairment: Exploring the Relationship Between ADL Perceptions and TFLS and DRS Scores

Abstract Objective Assessing activities of daily living (ADLs) is crucial for safety, as both objective and subjective evaluations offer important insights. This study aimed to examine the relationship between caregiver-reported functional impairment and patient performance on the Texas Functional Living Scale (TFLS) and Dementia Rating Scale (DRS), assessing whether caregiver perceptions of level of impairment in ADLs predict functional and cognitive ability in individuals with cognitive impairments. Method Individuals who completed neuropsychological assessments in an outpatient neurology clinic, accompanied by a loved one, were included. Functional abilities were measured using the TFLS, cognitive ability with the DRS, and ADLs with the caregiver-reported Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ). Pearson correlation analyses examined the relationship between FAQ scores and TFLS and DRS performance, and simple linear regressions examined whether FAQ scores could predict TFLS and DRS performance. Results Data from 175 adults (92 men) ages 56 to 98 (M = 78.49, SD = 7.60), with an average of 14.77 years of education, were considered. Pearson correlations showed significant negative relationships between FAQ scores and both TFLS T-scores (r = –0.29, p < .001) and DRS scores (r = –0.36, p < .001). Linear regression analyses revealed that FAQ scores significantly predicted both TFLS (B = –0.32, p < .001, R2 = .08) and DRS performance (B = –0.125, p < .001, R2 = .13). Conclusion Caregiver-reported functional impairment significantly predicted poorer performance on the TFLS and DRS. Findings suggest caregiver-reported impairments may be clinically valuable proxies for objective test performance where comprehensive assessments are not feasible.