Assessing cognitive functioning of the elderly with the 'Inventory of Piaget's Developmental Tasks'

The purpose of this study was to examine the reliability, validity, and utility of the 'Inventory of Piaget's Developmental Tasks' (IPDT) with elderly persons. The IPDT is a paper-pencil assessment of levels of cognitive functioning. Seventy elderly adults responded to a battery of instruments. Reliability and validity estimates for the IPDT were acceptable. Data indicated that the IPDT has promise as a clinical assessment of cognitive functioning. Implications for patient teaching by nurses is discussed and suggestions for clinical use are made.