Calibrating EASY-Care independence scale to improve accuracy. (2nd November 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jotheeswaran, A. T.; Dias, Amit; Philp, Ian; Patel, Vikram; Prince, Martin
• Is Part Of: Age and ageing. Volume 45:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 890
• Page End: 893
• Publication Date: 2016-11-02
• Subjects: dependence -- independence -- ageing -- India -- dependence scale -- older people; Aging -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1093/ageing/afw106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-0729

Abstract

Abstract : Background: there is currently limited support for the reliability and validity of the EASY-Care independence scale, with little work carried out in low- or middle-income countries. Therefore, we assessed the internal construct validity and hierarchical and classical scaling properties among frail dependent older people in the community. Objective: we assessed the internal construct validity and hierarchical and classical scaling properties among frail dependent older people in the community. Methods: three primary care physicians administered EASY-Care comprehensive geriatric assessment for 150 frail and/or dependent older people in the primary care setting. A Mokken model was applied to investigate hierarchical scaling properties of EASY-Care independence scale, and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) of the scale was also examined. Results: we found that EASY-Care independence scale is highly internally consistent and is a strong hierarchical scale, hence providing strong evidence for unidimensionality. However, two items in the scale (unable to use telephone and manage finances) had much lower item Loevinger H coefficients than others. Exclusion of these two items improved the overall internal consistency of the scale. Conclusions: the strong performance of the EASY-Care independence scale among community-dwelling frail older people is encouraging. This study confirms that EASY-Care independence scale is highly internally consistent and a strong hierarchical scale.