Cognitive Functioning in Relation to Self-Care in Elderly Persons with a Bipolar Disorder

This study explores which aspects of cognitive functioning may influence the self-care and independence of older patients with a bipolar disorder and whether there is a correlation between characteristics of the disease and self-care. Patients completed a comprehensive neuropsychological battery and filled in a questionnaire on activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. Results indicate that (compared with age-matched norm scores) this group of euthymic patients performed worse on tests of attention, verbal memory, and executive functioning. Tests of attention and executive functioning were related to self-care. Attention and aspects of verbal memory were related to characteristics of the disease. The findings suggest that aspects of attention, memory, and executive functioning are associated with activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living.