title: Cooking task assessment in frail older adults: who performed better at home and in the clinic?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to determine: (i) the proportion of frail older adults who demonstrate (a) statistically significant and (b) clinically meaningful differences between home and clinic cooking task performance; and (ii) factors associated with a better performance in each environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-seven participants were evaluated with the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) in home and clinic environments using a counterbalanced design. Demographic, physical, cognitive, psychological, and environmental characteristics were also collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-three participants were retained for analysis. A statistically significant difference (> ±2 standard errors of measurement) between environments was found in 33% of the participants on the motor scale and the same proportion on the process scale. A clinically meaningful difference (based on cut-off scores predicting need for assistance) was noted in 30% of the participants. Better performance at home on the process scale was associated with a decrease in some executive functions, while better performance in the clinic on the motor scale was mostly related to a decline in grip strength.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings may help occupational therapists identify frail patients for whom home assessments would be advisable prior to discharge so that assistance provided meets their needs at home.
authors.affiliation: Research Center, Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montreal, Montreal, Canada. veronique.provencher.1@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Véronique
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Provencher
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Demers
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gélinas
authors.forename: Francine
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giroux
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003296:Cooking; D004777:Environment; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly / Q000523:psychology*; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis