Influence of age and education on a performance-based measure of everyday functioning

Sociodemographic variables, such as age and education, influence the determination of impairment on neuropsychological tests, but their influence on impairment determinations for tests of everyday functioning is less well defined. Existing studies suggest that older age and lower education levels are associated with worse everyday functioning when assessed by self- or collateral-report. This relationship, however, has not been thoroughly investigated with performance-based methods of everyday functioning. This study aimed to determine the influence of sociodemographic factors on the Functional Impact Assessment (FIA), a performance-based measure of everyday functioning that includes measures of both accuracy and speed. Seventy-three healthy individuals, ages 42 − 88 years, completed the FIA and an additional everyday functioning self-report questionnaire (Functional Activities Questionnaire). Using a multiple regression statistical approach, age and education predicted overall FIA accuracy, while age alone predicted FIA speed. Sociodemographic variables continued to predict FIA performance when controlling for overall cognitive functioning. Sociodemographic variables were unrelated to FAQ scores. These findings indicate that age and education are associated with scores on a performance-based test of everyday functioning. Demographic corrections may improve accuracy in determining functional impairment, but more research is needed given the complex relationships among demographic factors, healthy aging, and dementia risk.