Create your own single-use cognitive evaluation folders by choosing from more than 30 free assessment tools (or use your own). The earlier posts on swallowing and communication include free assessment tools, as well.
Outline:
- Why should we limit re-using materials?
- Making single-use cognitive evaluation folders.
- Tips for using single-use evaluation folders.
- Strategies to minimize risk of contamination.
- Contents of my single-use communication evaluation folders.
- Which cognitive-communication evaluation tools would you add?
- Related Eat, Speak, & Think posts.
Why should we limit re-using materials?
We still don’t know how long the coronavirus remains detectable on paper, but the answer seems to be up to 48 hours for cardboard and two to three days for plastics.
Harvard Medical School states that it’s possible to become infected with the virus if we touch a contaminated object or surface and then touch our mouth, nose, or potentially eyes.
And given that people are contagious before knowing they’re sick, taking testing materials from house to house is a potentially risky situation.
Depending on your employer’s guidelines and the coronavirus status of your patients, you may or may not be carrying materials out of their house or room.
But the chances are good that if you’re working with someone suspected or confirmed of having the virus, then you’re not taking re-usable materials into their space.
Making single-use cognitive evaluation folders
Copyright permissions have only been relaxed for telehealth
The publishers of standardized assessment tools don’t seem to be relaxing the rules of copyright to allow us to digitize or make copies of assessment tools.
Pearson has published a Letter of No Objection, which expands the permitted use of their products for teletherapy. Specifically, Pearson is now permitting that clinicians to share images of test materials via live videoconferencing (no recording). The letter specifically states that digitizing or copying test materials is not permitted. (Scroll down to find the box labeled “Pearson’s Letter of No Objection.”)
If you’re using telepractice, you may be interested to know that Pearson Assessments is offering free access to 100+ assessment manuals and stimulus binders until June 30, 2020.
It’s quite possible that other publishers may also have relaxed copyright rules, under certain circumstances. Feel free to contact the publisher of your preferred assessment tool to find out.
30+ free cognitive assessment tools to choose from
You may be able to use your typical cognitive-communication materials in a safe manner. But if you’re looking for free assessment tools to replace or supplement what you’re doing now, there are plenty of options.
Check out 18 free assessment tools for cognition. You’ll find links to the following tools:
- BCAT Self-Assessment Tools.
- BCRS, FAST, and GDS.
- Brief Evaluation of Executive Function.
- Dementia Severity Rating Scale.
- Functional Activities Questionnaire.
- IQCODE.
- Lawton-Brody IADL.
- Neuro-QoL.
- SAGE.
- Short Blessed Test.
- SLUMS.
- Iowa Trail Making Test.
“How to assess pragmatic skills in adults with brain injury” links to four standardized rating scales:
- The Pragmatics Rating Scale.
- The Modified Pragmatics Rating Scale.
- Measure of Support in Conversation (an adapted Kagan scale).
- Measure of Participation in Conversation (an adapted Kagan scale).
You can use any or (ideally) all of the 3 versions of the Clock Drawing Test.
If you’re assessing someone with ALS, there are two cognitive behavioral screening tools available online:
- ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS). (Form can be found via search.)
- Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS).
COMBI, or the Center for Outcome Measurement in Brain Injury, has more than 30 assessment tools. You can download some of them there.
Select an organization method
While you could use a paper clip, or staple together your assessment packets, I’d recommend using a folder. Over the course of therapy, I generally bring a number of handouts. Since my patients often have difficulty with organization, I like to help out by providing a folder.
You could use manila file folders* to put together single-use cognitive evaluation folders, as they’re relatively inexpensive. I used these to make my folders.
For some patients, I prefer to use a folder with pockets*. I’ll give my patient a folder if I plan on bringing in a number of handouts. In addition, using a folder with pockets offers several options for helping a patient keep track of homework. For instance, I may tape an assignment sheet to the outside of the folder. Then on the inside, I write “TO DO” on the left hand pocket and “DONE” on the right hand pocket.
*This is an Amazon affiliate link. As an Amazon associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. There is no extra charge to you, and it will help keep Eat, Speak, & Think sustainable.
Tips for using single-use evaluation folders
Create basic evaluation folders that contain what you’re likely to use most frequently. Keep other assessment tools handy in your trunk or office, just in case.
When you do your chart review or call to make the appointment, you may decide on different or additional testing and counseling/education materials. Simply add or swap out materials.
The idea is to carry a few of the most likely tools that should allow you to gain useful information. You can always complete the assessment at the following session, if you don’t have what you need with you.
If you’re not able to bring papers your patient has touched out of the house or room, here are some tips for capturing the data:
- Record the scores on your computer, if you have it with you.
- Write the information down in a small notebook you keep in your pocket.
- Take a picture of the form, without identifying information. You can keep your phone in a zip-lock bag, or wipe down the case at the end of the session.
- Create a voice or text memo with the details.
- Rely on your memory (but only if it’s better than mine!).
Strategies to minimize risk of contamination
Pearson Assessments is offering a free PDF download of tips for disinfecting testing materials. Of particular note, they don’t actually offer any suggestions for disinfecting paper or cardboard materials without damaging them. (Scroll down to the “Disinfecting test materials” box.)
However, they do offer a number of helpful strategies to eliminate contact between the materials and the test-taker. For example:
- Use a disposable barrier between the test material and the table.
- Lay a sheet of clear plastic over the test book.
- Ask the test-taker to point without touching.
- The test-taker can also use the eraser end of a pencil.
- They could perform hand hygiene and wear gloves.
Pearson then suggests that we spray the materials with disinfectant and allow to dry, if possible, or place them in a bag labeled “dirty” for later disinfection.
American Libraries Magazine acknowledges that we don’t have a good way to disinfect books and other reading materials. They recommend allowing books and other paper-based materials to sit untouched for 14 days.
Contents of my single-use cognitive evaluation folder
My cognitive evaluation folders are quite slim. I’m currently carrying:
- The forms my agency requires.
- Neuro-QoL Short Form v2.0 – Cognitive Function.
- Short Blessed Test.
- Clock Drawing Tests.
For patients who aren’t suspected of having the coronavirus, I’m still using the RIPA-G2, which doesn’t have a stimulus book.
Which cognitive-communication evaluation tools would you add?
I’m always on the look-out for new assessment tools, especially if it will offer new insight into my patients strengths and weaknesses. Do you know of other free evaluation tools? Please leave a comment!
Related Eat, Speak, & Think posts
- Single-use swallow evaluation folders.
- Single-use communication evaluation folders.
- 18 free cognitive assessment tools.
- How to assess pragmatic skills in adults with brain injury.
- 3 versions of the Clock Drawing Test.
- ALS guide for speech-language pathologists.
Featured image by VSRao from pixabay, found on Canva.com.
Lisa earned her M.A. in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Maryland, College Park and her M.A. in Linguistics from the University of California, San Diego.
She participated in research studies with the National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) and the University of Maryland in the areas of aphasia, Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy, and fluency disorders.
Lisa has been working as a medical speech-language pathologist since 2008. She has a strong passion for evidence-based assessment and therapy, having earned five ASHA Awards for Professional Participation in Continuing Education.
She launched EatSpeakThink.com in June 2018 to help other clinicians be more successful working in home health, as well as to provide strategies and resources to people living with problems eating, speaking, or thinking.
Hi, I am starting to treat patients privately. I work in SNFs, and in that setting use a variety of cognitive tests like the SLUMS, BCRS, and MOCA which have been provided to me by the companies. I am curious- If you were going to buy one or two standardized cognitive tests, which would you pick? What are your favorites and why? Your blog is great! Thanks for any help you can give 🙂
Hi, thanks, Elizabeth!
I use the RIPA-G2 frequently. It has 7 subtests which I can usually administer during the evaluation visit (sometimes carrying over into another session). It is completely auditory for the patient, and I use the whole test or parts of it to get a look at how my patient is doing with auditory memory, long-term memory, word fluency, and reasoning.
I also use the CLQT+ often. It has 10 subtests, some are auditory and some are pen and paper. I use this one if my patient’s concerns involve visual attention or tasks involving materials. (This one I can also usually administer in one session.)
Before the pandemic, I used the ALFA a lot as well, for more functional assessment. But it has things for the patient to manipulate (clock, money, pretend pills), so I’m not using it now.
I’d also look into the RBANS and the FAVRES as well. They’re on my list to check out; I see them used in research.
10/26/2020: DON’T BE AMUSED WHEN I READ I WAS GETTNG THE SLUMS TEST, AND i GOT PERSONALLY INSULTED, WHEN i THOUGHT IT MEANT, WHAT PART OF TOWN i CAME FROM. H A!
AT 83, THIS TEST WAS GIVEN TO ME, AND I PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS; i AM
A COLLEGE GRADUATE WITH HONORS; HAVE FOUR CHILDREN, 61, 58, 56, & 55.
I HAVE 11 GRANDCHILDREN, 41, 36, 27, 25, 23, 23, 18, 16, 13, & 10; i NOW HAVE ONE GREAT GRAND SON, BORN, 6/23/2020; MY ONLY COMMENT ON THE TEST, WOULD BE HEARING CORRECTLY, AND UNDERSTANDING THE TEST INSTRUCTIONS FROM THE PERSON GIVING THE TEST. ONE FAMILY ELDERLY PERSON GOT THE TEST FROM SOMEBODY WITH A SPANISH ACCENT, AND THE
ANNUCIATION OF WORDS WERE NOT CLEAR, AND ENGLISH PRONOUNCED; THIS WOULD NOT MAKE THE TEST ACCURATE FOR THE PATIENT;
Congratulations on the newest addition to your family! Yes, the acronym of the test is unfortunate! You’re absolutely right – it’s important that people can hear the tester and understand the instructions. It’s not a fair look at a person’s memory if they can’t even hear or understand what we’re saying. Thanks for sharing your experience and bringing up that excellent point.