CLOCK DRAWING IN THE OLDEST-OLD

The present study investigated clock drawing performance by cognitivel y intact, elderly, community-dwelling individuals, with specific atten tion paid to the effects of age on both qualitative and quantitative f eatures of performance. Comparison of three age groups (66-75, 76-84, and 85+) on a quantitative rating revealed no significant main effect. When specific qualitative features of performance (i.e., error types and planning strategies) were examined, no significant differences bet ween groups were found. The results suggest that clock drawing ability is relatively preserved in healthy elderly individuals. Impaired cloc k drawing performance in cognitive screening of the elderly may indica te that further neuropsychological testing is warranted.