Everyday Functioning across the Spectrum of Cognitive Impairment

Holly A. Tuokko, PhD, RPsych, CIHR Institute of Aging Senior Investigator; Professor, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.

Impairments in cognition and everyday activities are primary risk factors for increases in need for care. Even before cognitive impairment is of sufficient severity to be considered dementia, complex, high-level, everyday activities may be notably impaired. As cognitive impairment increases, so too does the type and magnitude of difficulties in performing everyday tasks. When the severity of cognitive impairment and level of dependency for everyday tasks exceeds that which can be provided at home in the community, long-term care facility admission may need to be considered.
Key words: mild cognitive impairment, dementia, everyday functioning, long-term care facility admission.