Comments on a process for identifying stages of dementia in residents of nursing facilities

This paper gives a description of how items of the Global Deterioration Scale's Brief Cognitive Rating Scale and Functional Assessment Staging can be verified by reviewing specific sections and items of the Minimum Data Set for Nursing Facility Resident Assessment and Care Screening which is completed annually and updated every three months or when significant changes in health occur. A likely outcome of such comparison is improved understanding of the cognitive and functional status of residents with dementia and other medical conditions.