Reliability and validity of Informant-report Scale on Cognitive-Linguistic Abilities of the Elderly (ISCOLE)

Abstract

Objectives: Cognitive-linguistic aspects in normal aging decrease the quality of life and may signal symptoms of neurological diseases including mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Therefore, they are increasingly important indicators in an aging society. The aim of this study is to test the reliability and validity of Informant-report Scale on Cognitive-Linguistic abilities of the Elderly (ISCOLE). Methods: Data was obtained from elderly adults age 60 or older (N=63) and their informants (N=63). Their mean ages were 74.92 (±6.02) years and 67.65 (±13.82) years, respectively (male:female, 19:44 and 34:29). The type of informants included spouses, children, and others (relatives, friends, caregivers) of the elderly. Reliability and validity was measured on 27 items of ISCOLE. Results: The ISCOLE had the appropriate item internal consistency and test-retest reliability. It also showed high-level convergent, internal construct, and concurrent validity. Conclusion: The current study indicated that the ISCOLE was reliable and valid as an informant-report scale on cognitive-linguistic abilities of elderly adults. ISCOLE includes various cognitive-linguistic domains including attention, orientation, visuoperception, memory, organization, reasoning, problem solving, executive function, and language. Therefore, ISCOLE can be used for diagnosing a variety of cognitive-linguistic abilities of the elderly. It also contributes to prognostic investigation of performance in each domain.