Hierarchic Dementia Scale-Revised (HDS-R) Video Companion

This video resource provides examples of how the HDS-R can be conducted with people with varying levels of dementia and shows how the results can be used to inform care planning and intervention strategies.  Four individuals with dementia were filmed being assessed using the HDS-R.  Each assessment can be viewed in full or any of the subscales can be viewed separately.

This is not intended to be a stand-alone training resource for new users of the HDS-R, rather it is a supplement to information contained in the HDS-R Instruction Manual and provided at HDS-R Training Workshops run by the DTSC.

Ethical approval for this project was granted by the Human Research Ethics Office at Curtin University, approval number HR82/2015/AR1.

The presentation can be viewed  in any up-to-date web browser, including Chrome, Firefox, IE, Safari etc. The link below will open the presentation in a new tab/window.

View the HDS-R Video Companion

Using the HDS-R

Unlike many other assessments, the HDS-R does not have a set script or defined sequence which must be followed.  The twenty subscales can be completed in any order.  Within each subscale it is only necessary to attempt sufficient items to determine the person’s highest level of functioning.  There is no need to attempt items that the person with dementia will be unable to achieve, or to ask the person to do things that you know they can do easily.

By varying the order of the subscales it is easier to keep the person’s attention.  If they find a particular subscale difficult you can move on to an item they will find less challenging.  Each test item can be presented in any way that will allow the person to understand what is being asked of them i.e. using verbal instructions, demonstrating or using physical prompts.

As you watch the videos you will be able to observe how each assessor uses their own personality and communication skills to engage the client.  The language used and methods of engagement vary according to the level of dementia of the person being assessed.