Exploring the Remote Administration of a Performance-Based Functional Assessment

Performance-based assessments of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) can detect subtle functional impairments better than self-reported questionnaires. While most performance-based IADL assessments were developed for in-person administration, remote administration could increase access to vulnerable older adults. This study compared in-person and remote administration of IADL tasks from the Performance Assessment of Self-Care Skills. Community-dwelling older adults completed tasks (shopping, checkbook balancing, and medication management) at baseline (in-person) and follow-up (either in-person or remote, with modifications) two years later. Scores between the two follow-up groups, change in scores from baseline to follow-up, and differential item functioning (DIF) between the two administration methods at follow-up were examined. There were no differences in scores between methods of administration, but remote tasks took longer, and one item had significant DIF (ps <.01). Clinicians found remote administration acceptable and feasible. With minor adaptations, remote administration of the three tasks was supported. Further validation research is needed.