Australian encephalitis in the Northern Territory: clinical and epidemiological features, 1987-1996

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the contribution of the executive cognitive functions to self-reported and observed performance of activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living. DESIGN: These data were collected as part of a cross-sectional survey of community-dwelling older persons, using statistical sampling, in a two-county area of southern Colorado. SETTING: Participants were interviewed and administered measures of general cognition, depression, executive functioning, and performance of self-care and instrumental activities, either in their homes or at the study clinic. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 1158 community-dwelling persons between the ages of 60 and 99 participated. Of these, 657 were female, 501 were male, 637 were Hispanic, and 521 were non-Hispanic whites. MEASUREMENTS: Subjects were administered the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE), a measure of executive functioning (the Behavioral Dyscontrol Scale), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D), and the Structured Assessment of Independent Living Skills (SAILS, a measure of observed performance of daily tasks). They also were interviewed regarding their reported ADL and IADL status using measures from the Longitudinal Study on Aging. RESULTS: Both general mental status and executive functioning demonstrated statistically significant univariate associations with all seven functional status measures (both self-report and observed performance). In a series of ordinary least squares regression models, executive functioning was a predictor for self-reported ADLs and observed performance of complex IADL tasks such as managing money and medications. Mental status did not predict self-reported functioning but was a predictor of observed performance. Depression was a significant variable for self-report measures but not for observed performance. Executive functioning and general mental status demonstrated some degree of independence from one another. CONCLUSION: Executive functioning is an important determinant of functional status for both self-reported and observed ADLs and IADLs and should be assessed routinely when evaluating the mental status and functional abilities of older people. These results replicate and extend previous research on executive functioning among older persons by examining these factors in a large bi-ethnic community sample.     

Comparison of stroke features and disability in daily life in patients with ischemic stroke aged 55 to 70 and 71 to 85 years

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study compared stroke features and poststroke disability in two age groups of patients with ischemic stroke: younger (55 to 70 years) and older (71 to 85 years). Stroke has an impact on daily living in many areas, but whether risk factors, stroke features, and poststroke disability differ between young and old patients with stroke is not so well established. METHODS: A cohort of 486 ischemic stroke patients aged 55 to 85 years admitted consecutively to the Helsinki University Central Hospital (Finland) between December 1, 1993, and March 31, 1995, were examined 3 months after the index stroke. Structured medical, neurological, and radiological (MRI or CT) examinations, mental status, and emotional examination and interview of a close informant were done. Prestroke and poststroke activities of daily living were assessed with five scales: the Index of ADL, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale, Functional Activities Questionnaire, Blessed Functional Activities Scale, and Barthel Index. RESULTS: History of cardiac failure (P < .001), atrial fibrillation (P < .001), and cardioembolic stroke (P = .011) was more frequent in the older age group, whereas stroke due to large-artery atherosclerosis (P = .048) was more common in the younger age group. The older patients more often had major dominant stroke syndrome (P = .018). Comparison of activities of daily living before and after stroke showed that the older age group deteriorated significantly more than the younger age group after adjustment for sex, education, and living conditions (Barthel Index, P = .005; other scales, P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS: The stroke patients in young and old age groups had different risk profiles and stroke features. The older stroke patients were more dependent and disabled beforehand, and after stroke they were relatively even more dependent than the patients in the younger age group. Because older patients already constitute the majority of stroke victims, the importance of early active diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and guidance is stressed.     

Treatment of depressive symptoms during short-term rehabilitation: An attempted replication of the DOUR project.

Objective: To replicate and extend P. A. Lichtenberg and colleagues' (1996) cross-disciplinary intervention to improve physical and mental health among older adults. Participants: 14 depressed older adults (6 treatment, 8 control). Setting: The short-term rehabilitation unit of an urban nursing home. Intervention: Occupational therapists were trained to treat depression using pleasant events and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Outcome Measures: Geriatric Depression Scale, the Short Form-12, and the Multi-Level Assessment Instrument: Activities of Daily Living. Results: No significant group differences were found in physical or mental health. However, more control group members (75%) than treatment group members (33%) were depressed at study completion. Conclusions: The treatment of depressive symptoms can be integrated with a nonmental health treatment modality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Randomized trial of social rehabilitation and integrated health care for older people with severe mental illness.

Objective: The Helping Older People Experience Success (HOPES) program was developed to improve psychosocial functioning and reduce long-term medical burden in older people with severe mental illness (SMI) living in the community. HOPES includes 1 year of intensive skills training and health management, followed by a 1-year maintenance phase. Method: To evaluate effects of HOPES on social skills and psychosocial functioning, we conducted a randomized controlled trial with 183 older adults with SMI (58% schizophrenia spectrum) age 50 and older at 3 sites who were assigned to HOPES or treatment as usual with blinded follow-up assessments at baseline and 1- and 2-year follow-up. Results: Retention in the HOPES program was high (80%). Intent-to-treat analyses showed significant improvements for older adults assigned to HOPES compared to treatment as usual in performance measures of social skill, psychosocial and community functioning, negative symptoms, and self-efficacy, with effect sizes in the moderate (.37–.63) range. Exploratory analyses indicated that men improved more than women in the HOPES program, whereas benefit from the program was not related to psychiatric diagnosis, age, or baseline levels of cognitive functioning, psychosocial functioning, or social skill. Conclusions: The results support the feasibility of engaging older adults with SMI in the HOPES program, an intensive psychiatric rehabilitation intervention that incorporates skills training and medical case management, and improves psychosocial functioning in this population. Further research is needed to better understand gender differences in benefit from the HOPES program. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A cluster-analytic description of patient subgroups in the rehabilitation setting.

Examined the interrelationship of depressive symptoms, patient expectations, and locus of control for health to develop a model that could describe patterns of response to rehabilitation. 25 inpatients at a physical medicine and rehabilitation facility completed the Beck Depression Inventory and a questionnaire assessing their expected success, amount of recovery, and length of stay. Ss' reasons for admission included postamputation, cerebral vascular accident, and pain. Each S's level of independence and physical mobility was assessed by his or her charge nurse using the Barthel Index (1965, 1973). Cluster analysis identified 3 groups with statistically and clinically significant differences between them. Four aspects appeared to account for the significant differences: Barthel Index rating, depression rating, expectancies, and locus of control (attribution). Findings indicate that the 3 spheres of depression, attribution, and expectation could be used to develop an empirically based model that describes the patient's response to rehabilitation and determines optimal intervention strategies for the rehabilitation patient. (27 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Barthel activities of daily living index: self-reporting versus actual performance in the old-old (> or = 75 years)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Barthel Index for assessing activities of daily living (ADL) was developed particularly for young stroke patients, but it now has a wider application in the geriatric assessment profile. This study tests the validity of the Barthel Index by self-report in the old-old (> or = 75 years). If more than 10% of the studied population assessed themselves incorrectly (> or = 15-point discrepancy), the test may have limitations. We set out to try to quantify and explain this discrepancy. METHODS: During a 3-month period, we tested 126 old-old patients, both geriatric medical inpatients and subjects from the community, in a cross-sectional study. Using the Barthel Index, their functional status was assessed by self-report and by observation of performance. A measure of the magnitude of discrepancy between the two methods (discrepancy score) was calculated as the difference between the self-report and performance total scores. RESULTS: Comparing the self-report with actual ADL performance scores, the mean score for self-report was higher (90 vs 88). There was a low Kappa score in all areas of the scale (range 0.103-0.398). Twenty of the 126 patients (15.9%) scored 15 or more points in the discrepancy score. By running a multiple linear regression, we were able to explain only 21% of the variance in the discrepancy score (R2 = .21). Significant explanatory variables were the presence of cognitive impairment, source of patients from acute geriatric ward, and age (very old > or = 85 years). CONCLUSION: For the purpose of this study, use of the Barthel Index by self-reporting was found to have its limitations in the old-old (> or = 75 years), particularly with regard to the very old (> or = 85 years) medical geriatric inpatients. Therefore, we suggest that the older people may have to be assessed by the rehabilitation services using a performance-based measure or a different self-report test for documenting their activities of daily living, bearing in mind that self-reported and performance-based measures capture physical abilities differently.     

Antibody response in the intestinal tract of mice orally immunized with antigen associated with liposomes

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy and safety of methylphenidate in acute stroke rehabilitation. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. PATIENTS AND SETTING: Twenty-one stroke patients consecutively admitted to a community-based rehabilitation unit. INTERVENTION: Three-week treatment of methylphenidate (or placebo) in conjunction with physical therapy. Methylphenidate was started at 5mg and increased gradually to 30mg (15mg at 8:00AM and 15mg at 12:00 noon), and discontinued before discharge. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mood measures included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (ZDS). Cognitive status was evaluated using the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). Motor functioning was assessed using the Fugl-Meyer Scale (FMS) and a modified version of the Functional Independence Measure (M-FIM). All measures were administered pretreatment and weekly thereafter. Side effects were measured after each increase in dosage and weekly. RESULTS: Patients receiving methylphenidate treatment scored lower on the HAM-D (F(1,18)=5.714, p=.028), lower on the ZDS (F(1,18)=4.206, p=.055), higher on the M-FIM (F(1,18)=5.374, p=.032), and higher on the FMS (F(1,9)=4.060, p=.075) than patients receiving placebo. CONCLUSION: Methylphenidate appears to be a safe and effective intervention in early poststroke rehabilitation that may expedite recovery.     

Prognostic factors in rehabilitation of above knee amputees for vascular diseases

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to predict rehabilitation potential and prognostic factors of patients undergoing above knee amputation for vascular diseases. METHOD: In a prospective study on 144 patients consecutively admitted to our rehabilitation unit for above knee amputation, multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between nine independent variables and a battery of outcome measures: the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and Barthel Index (BI) effectiveness on discharge, length of hospital stay. Two multiple logistic regressions were performed, using as dependent variable the occurrence of good or partial autonomy in mobility, quantified as RMI scores. RESULTS: Advanced age was the most powerful prognostic factor influencing effectiveness expressed as both mobility (RMI) and BI. Patients aged < 65 years had a greater probability (odds ratio 2.92) of good autonomy in mobility than older patients. The absence of vascular impairment of the residual limb and timely admission to the rehabilitation hospital correlated positively with effectiveness of mobility. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that relevant prognostic factors can be identified at the beginning of rehabilitation treatment.     

Assessment of functional abilities among geriatric patients: A MIMIC model of the functional independence measure.

Objective: To investigate the influence of population heterogeneity among geriatric patients on the factor structure and differential item functioning on the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and thereby evaluate the appropriateness of using 2 factor composite scores (FIM motor and FIM cognition) among geriatric patients. Design: A specific application of structural equation modeling (i.e., multiple indicators, multiple causes [MIMIC] model) was conducted on FIM admission scores from 718 geriatric rehabilitation patients. Setting: A large urban rehabilitation hospital. Participants: 718 inpatients referred for medical rehabilitation (M?=?77.5 yrs; 62% African American; 68% female). Measurements: All participants' functional abilities were rated on the FIM by trained physical and occupational therapists on admission to the rehabilitation hospital. In addition, all patients completed the Geriatric Depression Scale. Results: Three motor functioning items and 3 cognitive functioning items differed systematically across groups within this geriatric sample (i.e., young-old vs old-old, male vs female, depressed vs nondepressed) even after controlling for group differences on levels of overall motor and cognitive functioning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

"Treatment of depressive symptoms during short-term rehabilitation: An attempted replication of the DOUR project": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by J. R. Sood et al (Rehabilitation Psychology, 2003, 48[1], 44-49). On page 47, the caption of Figure 1 should read "The solid line represents the treatment group. The dashed line represents the control group." (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 2003-04296-008.) Objective: To replicate and extend P. A. Lichtenberg and colleagues' (1996) cross-disciplinary intervention to improve physical and mental health among older adults. Participants: 14 depressed older adults (6 treatment, 8 control). Setting: The short-term rehabilitation unit of an urban nursing home. Intervention: Occupational therapists were trained to treat depression using pleasant events and cognitive-behavioral therapies. Outcome Measures: Geriatric Depression Scale, the Short Form-12, and the Multi-Level Assessment Instrument: Activities of Daily Living. Results: No significant group differences were found in physical or mental health. However, more control group members (75%) than treatment group members (33%) were depressed at study completion. Conclusions: The treatment of depressive symptoms can be integrated with a nonmental health treatment modality. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identity processes and perceptions of physical functioning in adults: Theoretical and clinical implications.

Explored the relationship between identity and changes in physical functioning over the adult years. 242 adults (aged 40–95 yrs) rated themselves in 20 areas of normative functioning and identity processes. Measures included the Physical and Cognitive Change Scale, the Identity and Experiences Scale—Specific Aging, and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire. The findings indicate that adults as young as 40 are sensitive to age-related changes. Those 65 and older exhibited greater sensitivity to changes in competence. Identity assimilation was used most by adults under 65, particularly in the area of cognitive functioning. For individuals in both age groups, identity assimilation was positively related to self-esteem. The findings suggest that individuals may make behavioral adjustments without ruminating or becoming preoccupied, a strategy that may promote healthy adaptation to the aging process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A randomized, controlled pilot study of a home-based exercise program for individuals with mild and moderate stroke

BACKGROUND and PURPOSE: Many stroke survivors have minimal to moderate neurological deficits but are physically deconditioned and have a high prevalence of cardiovascular problems; all of these are potentially modifiable with exercise. The purposes of this randomized, controlled pilot study were (1) to develop a home-based balance, strength, and endurance program; (2) to evaluate the ability to recruit and retain stroke subjects; and (3) to assess the effects of the interventions used. METHODS: Twenty minimally and moderately impaired stroke patients who had completed inpatient rehabilitation and who were 30 to 90 days after stroke onset were randomized to a control group or to an experimental group that received a therapist-supervised, 8-week, 3-times-per-week, home-based exercise program. The control group received usual care as prescribed by the patients' physicians. Baseline and postintervention assessments included the Fugl-Meyer Motor Assessment, the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL), the Lawton Scale of Instrumental ADL, and the Medical Outcomes Study-36 Health Status Measurement. Functional assessments of balance and gait included a 10-m walk, 6-Minute Walk, and the Berg Balance Scale. Upper extremity function was evaluated by the Jebsen Test of Hand Function. RESULTS: Of 22 patients who met study criteria, 20 completed the study and 2 refused to participate. The experimental group tended to improve more than the control group in motor function (Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity: mean change in score, 8. 4 versus 2.2; Fugl-Meyer Lower Extremity: 4.7 versus -0.9; gait velocity: median change, 0.25 versus .09 m/s; 6-Minute Walk: 195 versus 114 ft; Berg Balance Score: 7.8 versus 5; and Medical Outcomes Study-36 Health Status Measurement of Physical Function: 15. 5 versus 9). There were no trends in differences in change scores by the Jebsen Test of Hand Function, Barthel Index, and Lawton Instrumental ADL Scale. CONCLUSIONS:This study demonstrated that a randomized, controlled clinical trial of a poststroke exercise program is feasible. Measures of neurological impairments and lower extremity function showed the most benefit. Effects of the intervention on upper extremity dexterity and functional health status were equivocal. The lasting effects of the intervention were not assessed.     

Efficacy beliefs in geriatric rehabilitation

Motivation is an important variable in older adults' ability to recover from any disabling event. The theory of self-efficacy states that efficacy beliefs affect behavior, motivational level, thought patterns, and emotional reactions in response to any situation. This study explored the impact of efficacy beliefs on older adults in a rehabilitation program and tested interventions to strengthen efficacy beliefs related to participation in rehabilitation and functional performance. An experimental pretest-posttest design was used. Participants were randomly assigned to: the usual care control group or the treatment group. The study was completed on an inpatient geriatric rehabilitation unit. The sample consisted of 77 participants, 55 women and 22 men with a mean age of 78 +/- 7.2. Individuals in the treatment group received three efficacy enhancing interventions: role modeling, verbal persuasion, and physiological feedback. Baseline data were collected within 48 hours of admission and included four investigator-developed efficacy measures: Functional Inventory Measure, Participation Index, Numeric Rating Scale for pain, amount of analgesic used for pain, and Health Status. With the exception of Health Status, these measures were again completed within 48 hours of discharge. Admission performance was the only statistically significant predictor of efficacy beliefs. All efficacy beliefs increased over time and were significantly correlated with performance behaviors and length of stay. The treatment group had stronger efficacy beliefs regarding participation, higher participation at discharge, and less pain than the control group. Efficacy beliefs, both self-efficacy and outcome expectations, are related to participation, functional performance, and length of stay. Interventions to strengthen these beliefs improved participation in rehabilitation and decreased pain. Consideration of motivation can facilitate rehabilitation and help older adults obtain and maintain their highest functional level.     

Perceived overprotection and distress in adults with visual impairment.

Objective: To investigate the role of perceived overprotection, a problematic aspect of social support, as a risk factor for distress among adults with chronic vision impairment. Study Design: Cross-sectional study using telephone interviews. Setting: Vision rehabilitation agency. Participants: One hundred fourteen adults with vision impairment (ages 24-64). Measures: 18-item Overprotection Scale for Adults, 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale, 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory. Results: Hierarchical multiple regression analyses demonstrated that higher levels of perceived overprotection were associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology as well as higher levels of anxiety. Conclusions: Vision rehabilitation programs should address issues around perceived overprotection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Lipid peroxidation in thyroid tissue of people with diffuse toxic goiter

BACKGROUND: A growing number of dependent elderly people is cared for at home by family members. However, long-term caregiving may become an intolerable strain for some families and lead to failure of family care. The aim of the study was to examine if level of physical and mental disability of the patient influences the extent of perceived caregiver burden representing risk factor for negative outcome. METHODS AND RESULTS: 128 elderly patients with disability and dependency (37 men, 91 women, average age 79.9 +/- 6.9 yrs) and 128 their primary caregivers, mostly family members (28.9% men, 71.1% women) were evaluated. Functional status of care recipient was assessed by means of Barthel ADL Index (mean = 70.9 +/- 26.5), IADL Test (mean = 31.4 +/- 23.5) and Mini-Mental State Exam, MMSE (mean = 20.4 +/- 6.5). Average score of Caregiver Burden Interview (CBI) was 34.7 +/- 18.8. According to CBI, 40.6% of caregivers were found under high or even extremely hig level of stress. Level of perceived burden correlated significantly with physical and mental disability level, in decreasing order for IADL, ADL and MMSE (rs = 0.582-0.708, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Caregiver burden of family caregivers is significantly related to the level of functioning and cognitive impairment of care recipient, particularly to his/her ability to perform instrumental activities. Functional decline of elderly patient represents a risk factor which contributes to negative caregiving outcome and institutional placement.     

Gambling, health and age: Data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions.

The health effects of recreational gambling are presently unclear, particularly across age groups. Theories of healthy aging suggest that social activities, including gambling, may be beneficial to the health of older adults. Using cross-sectional data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (N=43,093), the authors examined associations between gambling (categorized as nongambling, recreational gambling, or problem/pathological gambling) and health and functioning measures stratified by age (40-64 years and ≥65). Problem/pathological gambling was uniformly associated with poorer health measures among both younger and older adults. Among younger respondents, poorer health measures were also found among recreational gamblers. However, among older respondents, recreational gambling was associated not only with some negative measures (e.g., obesity) but also with some positive measures (e.g., better physical and mental functioning). Longitudinal studies are needed to clarify the relationship between gambling and health in older adults in the context of healthy aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Recollection- and familiarity-based memory in healthy aging and amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

Little is known about the cognitive mechanisms of the memory impairment associated with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). We explored recollection and familiarity in 27 healthy young adults, 45 healthy older adults, and 17 individuals with aMCI. Relative to the younger adults, recollection was reduced in the older adults, especially among those with aMCI. Familiarity did not differ among groups. In the healthy younger and older adults, better performance on a set of clinical memory measures that are sensitive to medial temporal lobe functioning was associated with greater recollection. In addition, among the healthy older adults better executive functioning was also associated with greater recollection. These results are consistent with the notion that recollection is a product of strategic processes mediated by the prefrontal cortex that suppport the retrieval of context-dependent memories from the hippocampus. Hippocampal atrophy associated with aMCI may disrupt this brain network, and thereby interfere with recollection. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Repeated application of carvone-induced bacteria to enhance biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls in soil

OBJECTIVE: To determine the correlation between metabolite concentrations and clinical outcome during the acute or subacute phase of ischemic stroke by using single-voxel localized proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS). SETTING: A university hospital neurologic department. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Combined single-voxel 1H-MRS and magnetic resonance imaging were performed on 26 patients with a recent ischemic stroke (on 8 patients during the first 24 hours after the stroke and on 18 during the first week). For all patients, the signals from N-acetylaspartate, choline-containing compounds, and creatine-phosphocreatine were compared with those on the contralateral side as peak area ratios. The data for 1H-MRS were related to scores on the Scandinavian Stroke Scale and the Barthel Index at a 6-month clinical follow-up. RESULTS: The signals from N-acetylaspartate, choline-containing compounds, and creatine-phosphocreatine were significantly reduced in all infarcted areas (P<.001, P<.001, and P=.003, respectively, Wilcoxon signed rank test). A lactate signal was present in 19 patients. The statistical analysis showed a significant positive correlation between N-acetylaspartate signals and Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores and between reduction of N-acetylaspartate signals and Barthel Index scores (Spearman rank correlation test). Patients in whom lactate was present had Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores significantly lower than patients in the group without lactate (Mann-Whitney U test). CONCLUSION: Single-voxel 1H-MRS performed during the acute or subacute phase of ischemic stroke may provide prognostic information.     

Patient-Staff Agreement on Barthel Index Scores at Admission and Discharge in a Sample of Elderly Stroke Patients.

Objective: To investigate the congruence and influence of lesion side on staff and patient ratings of activity limitations. Study Design: Retrospective study of activity limitations at admission and discharge using the Rasch model and rating scale analysis. Participants: One-hundred twenty elderly stroke patients. Setting: Outpatient geriatric rehabilitation center. Main Outcome Measure: Barthel Index (BI). Results: High patient-staff agreement was found with the lowest agreement on the bathing item of the BI. Although staff rated the degree of activity limitations significantly higher than patients, the effect size was low at admission and discharge. The discrepancy between patient and staff reports did not change during rehabilitation and was equivalent between patients with right and patients with left hemisphere lesions. Conclusion: Patients with a stroke slightly overestimated their competency compared with rehabilitation staff and remained consistent during rehabilitation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Activity limitation and depression: Perspectives of older African American women and their close companions.

Objective: To compare self-report of activity limitations and depressive symptoms of older African American women following physical rehabilitation with the views of a self-nominated close companion. Participants: Thirty-seven African American women (mean age = 72.57 years) and their designated companions (mean age = 54.81 years). Study Design: Telephone interview with the older female respondents and a parallel interview with their companions. Results: The women and their companions provided comparable information regarding activity limitations and depressive symptoms. An association between activity limitation and depression was detected from the perspectives of both the women and their companions. Conclusions: Findings indicate the utility of proxy reports about the functioning of older adults but also indicate the need to carefully consider criteria used in selection of proxy reporters. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)