Palliative Care in Assisted Living (PCAL) Study Assessment Elements and Measures
| Element | Ascertainment and Measures |
|---|---|
| Assessment part 1 | |
| Demographics | Discussion with resident, caregiver; review of facility records |
| Diseases / diagnoses | Discussion with resident, caregiver; review of facility records; request records from primary care physician |
| Medications | Discussion with resident, caregiver; review of facility records; request records from primary care physician |
| Health status | SF-36 Physical Component and Mental Component summary scales54– 56 |
| Symptoms | Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS)57 items and Global Distress Index (GDI) |
| Hearing | Hand-held audiometer (1,000 and 2,000 Hz at 40 dB)45 |
| Vision | Wall-mounted Snellen eye chart45 |
| Mood | Geriatric Depression Scale, 15-item58 |
| Cognition | Mini Mental State Exam59 |
| Activities of daily living | Self-report of mobility, toileting, transfers, eating60 |
| Functional abilities | Physical Performance Test, 7-item61 |
| Balance | Performance oriented assessment of balance62 |
| Gait | Performance oriented assessment of gait62 |
| Assessment part 2 | |
| Social support | Social Support Survey63 |
| Advance directives, current | Discussion with resident and caregiver; review of facility records |
| Medical decision-making capacity | Clinical vignettes64 |
| Life values and goals for medical care | Values History, modified65 |
| Wishes regarding aggressive interventions | Values History, modified65 |
| Hospice eligibility | Comparison of characteristics with National Hospice Organization guidelines66 |