THE BEHAVIORAL-ASSESSMENT SCALE OF LATER LIFE (BASOLL) - A DESCRIPTION, FACTOR-ANALYSIS, SCALE DEVELOPMENT, VALIDITY AND RELIABILITY DATA FOR A NEW SCALE FOR OLDER ADULTS

Preliminary data on the Behavioural Assessment Scale of Later Life (BA SOLL) (Brooker and Nissenbaum, 1986) are described. The BASOLL is base d upon Zarit's Memory and Behavioural Problem Checklist (MBPC; Zarit e t al., 1980) and the Blessed Dementia Scale (BDS; Blessed et al., 1968 ). The BASOLL was administered to a sample of 177 psychogeriatric pati ents over a period of 2 years during regular clinical practice in outp atient, day patient and inpatient settings. A factor analysis revealed three factors which were named self-care behaviour, memory and orient ation, and challenging behaviour. The similarity with factors derived from Zarit's MBPC is discussed. Summative scales derived from the fact or analysis of the BASOLL were internally consistent. Data on test-ret est and interrater reliability are presented which suggest that the sc ales are reliable. The scales included in the BASOLL were all able to distinguish between patients in day hospital, respite care and continu ing care settings. Thus the scales can be said to have good criterion validity for these settings. The clinical development and utility of t he BASOLL is discussed.