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Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Basic Questions About the Scale​

Q1: Does this scale require a professional medical background to use?​

A: No. This scale is designed specifically for family caregivers, using accessible language and observation methods. You only need to be able to observe and record the patient's daily behavioral performance to use it. We provide detailed usage guidelines and examples to help you complete the assessment process smoothly.

Q2: Can this scale replace professional medical diagnosis?​

A: No. This scale is a home auxiliary tool, used to help you understand the types of functional impairments of the patient and guide home interventions, it cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If your loved one has not yet received a formal diagnosis, please seek professional medical assessment first.

Q3: How long does it take to use this scale once?​

A: Completing a full assessment usually takes 15-20 minutes. As you become more familiar with the scale content, the time may be shortened. It is recommended to conduct the assessment when the patient is in a better state and in a quiet environment.

Q4: How often should the assessment be repeated?​

A: It is recommended to conduct an assessment every 2-4 weeks. If you are just starting to implement intervention measures, you may want to assess more frequently (such as every 2 weeks); when the situation stabilizes, it can be extended to once a month. Additional assessments are also recommended when there is a significant change in the patient's condition.

Q5: What types of dementia is this scale suitable for?​

A: This scale is suitable for various types of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, etc. Different types of dementia may have differences in functional impairment patterns, and the scale can capture these differences and provide corresponding intervention suggestions.

About the Assessment Process​

Q6: What should I do if I am unsure about the answer to an assessment item?​

A: If you are unsure, you can:

  1. Observe for a few more days and then come back to complete the item
  2. Ask for observations from other family members or caregivers
  3. Try to create situations to observe (but don't put pressure on the patient)
  4. If still uncertain, you can temporarily skip it, no forced choice is required

Q7: The patient's condition fluctuates greatly from day to day, how should I assess?​

A: This situation is very common. Please base your assessment on the average performance over the past 2-3 days, rather than focusing only on the best or worst moments. If the fluctuation is very large, you can note it in the supplementary notes and consider conducting assessments more frequently to capture this pattern of change.

Q8: What if the patient does not cooperate with the assessment at all?​

A: This scale is mainly based on observation, not direct testing. You can complete most of the assessment through natural observation in daily life, without the need for the patient's deliberate cooperation. If some items do require interaction but the patient is not cooperative, you can:

  • Choose a time when the patient is in a better mood
  • Integrate the assessment into natural conversation
  • Temporarily skip specific items and try again later

Q9: Some assessment items seem to overlap, is this normal?​

A: Yes. Cognitive functions are interconnected, and there is natural overlap between different functional areas. For example, language expression and social function have intersections, and memory and time perception are also closely related. This overlap precisely reflects the nature of integrated cognitive function assessment—recognizing the mutual influence between various functions.

About Interpreting Results​

Q10: How do I determine if the assessment results are accurate?​

A: The accuracy of the assessment results can be verified through the following ways:

  • Whether the results are basically consistent with your daily observations
  • Whether there is reasonable consistency in assessments at different times
  • Whether the assessment results of multiple caregivers are roughly the same If the results differ greatly from your intuitive feeling, you may need to reassess, or invite another person familiar with the patient to also conduct an assessment for comparison.

Q11: Is a higher score good or bad?​

A: In this scale, the higher the score in each section, the more obvious the impairment in that functional area. Therefore, from a functional health perspective, a lower score is a better result. As the intervention progresses, we hope to see the scores decrease or remain stable (especially for moderate to severe patients, stability is also a positive result).

Q12: If the assessment results show similar scores in multiple functional areas, which one should I focus on first?​

A: When multiple functional areas have similar scores, the following factors can be considered to decide on priorities:

  1. Which functional impairment has the greatest impact on daily life
  2. Which functional area shows the most obvious trend of change
  3. Which functional area intervention might produce a "chain reaction" improving other functions
  4. Which intervention measures are easiest to implement in your specific situation

Usually, solve the most serious problems affecting daily life first, then gradually expand to other areas.

About Implementing Interventions​

Q13: Does the diet therapy need to be strictly followed according to the recipe?​

A: The diet therapy plan is designed for flexible application. The key is to adhere to the core principles and ingredients, rather than having to follow the recipe exactly. If specific ingredients are not available, you can refer to the alternative suggestions. Synergistic food combinations are more important, and it is recommended to prepare them in proportion as much as possible. The most important thing is continuity and consistency, not perfect execution.

Q14: What if the patient refuses certain foods?​

A: The patient's taste preferences are important, don't force feeding. You can try:

  • Changing the cooking method (such as making blueberries into a milkshake)
  • Trying alternative ingredients (refer to the ingredient substitution guide)
  • Incorporating key nutrients into favorite foods
  • Providing small amounts multiple times, gradually adapting to new flavors
  • In some cases, supplements can be considered, but it is advisable to consult a doctor first

Q15: What is the most appropriate frequency for non-pharmacological intervention activities?​

A: The optimal frequency depends on the type of activity and the patient's condition:

  • Simple environmental cues (such as labels and reminders) should be continuously present
  • Cognitive stimulation activities are recommended 3-5 times per week, 15-30 minutes each time
  • Physical activities ideally should be done daily, but adapted to individual physical strength
  • Social interaction activities are recommended at least several times a week

The key is to maintain regularity and moderate intensity, avoiding excessive fatigue or being too simple.

Q16: How long before intervention effects can be seen?​

A: The time for intervention effects to appear varies from person to person:

  • Emotional and behavioral changes may appear within 1-3 weeks
  • Stabilization or improvement in cognitive function usually takes 4-8 weeks to be clearly observed
  • The effects of diet therapy may take 6-12 weeks to fully manifest

Please remember that for moderate to severe dementia patients, "no deterioration" is also a successful result. Patience and persistence are key.

About Product Usage​

Q17: What documents will I receive after purchase?​

A: Depending on the version, after purchase you will immediately receive a complete PDF package containing the content of the corresponding version:

1.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale 2.ISST Dementia Diet Therapy and Home Assessment Dual-Track Guidance 3.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: I. Product Introduction 4.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: II. User Guide 5.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: III. Success Cases 6.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 7.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: V. Four Dimensions Concise Analysis 8.ISST Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework: VI. Theory Introduction 9.ISST Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework & Modern Dementia Intervention Methods: VII. Mapping Analysis

Basic Version​

1.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale 3.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: I. Product Introduction 4.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: II. User Guide 5.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: III. Success Cases 6.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Advanced Version​

1.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale 2.ISST Dementia Diet Therapy and Home Assessment Dual-Track Guidance 3.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: I. Product Introduction 4.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: II. User Guide 5.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: III. Success Cases 6.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 7.ISST Dementia Home Assessment and Intervention Scale: V. Four Dimensions Concise Analysis 8.ISST Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework: VI. Theory Introduction 9.ISST Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework & Modern Dementia Intervention Methods: VII. Mapping Analysis

All documents can be downloaded and printed for use.

Q18: Are updates or support provided?​

A: This is a one-time purchase product, including the latest version at the time of product release. Since the intervention principles are based on basic science, the content has long-term validity. After purchase, you can receive support for basic usage questions via email.

Q19: Can I share these materials with other caregivers?​

A: The purchase license is limited to single family use. You can share with family members directly involved in the care of the same patient, but please do not distribute to other families or institutions. For institutional bulk use, please contact us for the corresponding authorization.

Q20: Is this scale available in language translations?​

A: Currently available in Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, and Spanish versions. Other language versions are under development, please contact us if needed to inquire about the latest situation.

Technical and Theoretical Questions​

Q21: How does the Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework differ from traditional assessment methods?​

A: The key differences between the Integrated Cognitive Function Assessment Framework and traditional methods are:

  1. Focus on functional networks rather than isolated symptoms
  2. Emphasis on the mutual influence between functional areas
  3. Direct mapping of assessment results to specific intervention strategies
  4. Integration of physiological, cognitive, and emotional aspects
  5. Designed for home use, requiring no professional training

Q22: What is the scientific basis for the diet therapy?​

A: The diet therapy is based on extensive nutritional neuroscience research, with core scientific bases including:

  1. The role of specific nutrients (such as Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants) in neuroprotection
  2. Synergistic effects between nutrients (such as the mutual enhancement of curcumin and piperine)
  3. The overall impact of diverse nutritional support on neural network function
  4. Evidence of anti-inflammatory diet reducing neuroinflammation
  5. Food combinations providing precursors for neurotransmitters

The nutritional plan design considers nutrient balance, bioavailability, and the specific needs of functional areas.

Q23: How to distinguish between normal aging and early symptoms of dementia?​

A: This is an important question. The key differences are:

  • Normal aging may lead to slower memory speed, but does not affect daily function
  • Early dementia affects multiple cognitive domains, interfering with daily life
  • In normal aging, forgetting is mainly retrieval delay, not complete loss
  • Dementia is often accompanied by decreased judgment and difficulty with abstract thinking

This scale can capture these subtle differences, but if there are concerns, please be sure to seek professional medical assessment.

Q24: Does this method conflict with drug treatment?​

A: There is absolutely no conflict. This assessment and intervention system is designed to complement drug treatment, not replace it. In fact, integrative interventions may enhance the effects of drug treatment, creating synergy. If the patient is taking dementia medication, please continue to take it as prescribed while implementing these non-pharmacological interventions. The only thing to note is that some components in the diet therapy may interact with specific medications, if in doubt please consult your doctor.

Handling Special Situations​

Q25: Is this scale suitable for patients with severe dementia?​

A: This scale is mainly designed for patients with mild to moderate dementia, but can also be used for severe patients, just with different assessment focus and expected goals:

  • Mild to moderate patients: focus on functional preservation and possible improvement
  • Severe patients: focus on comfort, emotional stability, and basic interaction

For severe patients, some assessment items may be difficult to complete, and more emphasis can be placed on assessing emotional, behavioral, and basic interaction abilities.

Q26: How to deal with behavioral problems in patients (such as aggression, wandering)?​

A: Behavioral problems are usually manifestations of functional impairments. Using the scale for assessment may reveal the root causes of behavioral problems. For example:

  • Aggressive behavior may stem from communication barriers (language expression function)
  • Wandering may be related to time sense dysregulation or anxiety
  • Repetitive behaviors may reflect executive function impairment

Interventions should target the root causes while providing a safe environment. For acute behavioral problems, please immediately contact a professional healthcare provider nearby.

Q27: The patient has other health problems (such as diabetes, hypertension), how to adjust the diet plan?​

A: Chronic diseases require special attention. Basic adjustment principles:

  • Diabetes: Reduce fruit amount, pay special attention to glycemic index, emphasize protein and healthy fats
  • Hypertension: Reduce sodium intake, increase potassium content, maintain healthy fats such as olive oil
  • Kidney function problems: Adjust protein sources and amount, reduce certain minerals
  • Drug interactions: Some foods (such as grapefruit) may affect drug metabolism

Please consult a doctor or nutritionist for specific adjustments. The appendix of the scale provides basic adjustment recommendations for common chronic diseases.

Q28: I am the only caregiver, with limited time and energy, how can I optimize interventions?​

A: Time constraints are a common challenge. Recommended optimization strategies:

  1. Focus on 2-3 main functional impairments identified by the assessment
  2. Choose interventions that can be integrated into daily activities
  3. Simplify diet implementation (such as batch preparation on weekends)
  4. Utilize "short-time high-quality" interventions (such as high-quality but short interactions)
  5. Consider seeking community resources or volunteer support

Remember that taking care of yourself is also an important part.

If you have other questions not found in this FAQ, please send an email to [[email protected]], and we will reply as soon as possible.