The relation of minimum data set ratings and performance on measures of linguistic communication and hearing

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relation between ratings on items in the Communication/Hearing Patterns section of the Minimum Data Set for Nursing Home Resident Assessment (MDS; Morris et al., 1990) and performance on external criterion measures of linguistic communication and hearing. Linguistic communication was evaluated with the Story Retelling Subtest of the Arizona Battery for Communication Disorders of Dementia (ABCD; Bayles & Tomoeda, 1993) and the Functional Linguistic Communication Inventory (FLCI; Bayles & Tomoeda, 1994). Auditory evaluation included an otoscopic check, hearing aid check (when appropriate), pure-tone hearing screening, and monitored, live-voice speech recognition testing. Fifty-seven individuals participated in the study. All lived in long-term care facilities in southeastern Arizona and had a diagnosis of dementia. Residents with MDS classifications of 0 (normal) scored significantly higher on the FLCI and the Story Retelling Subtest than did those residents classified as 1 (impaired). However, all of the participants demonstrated some impairment in linguistic communication as indicated by scores on the FLCI and the Story Retelling Subtest. Individuals categorized as having adequate hearing ability on the MDS scored significantly higher on speech recognition testing than did those categorized as impaired. However, no relation was found between MDS classification of hearing function and pure-tone hearing screening results. Surprisingly, none of the individuals with MDS-identified impairments had been referred to a communication specialist for further evaluation. The implications of the results for service delivery in nursing homes are discussed.