Assessing changes in social functioning in the course of dementia: an instrument for research and clinical practice in German-speaking Areas

Purpose Dementia is one of the most common and most severe disorders in old age. In addition to cognitive decline and functional loss, changes in social functioning occur in the course of dementia. Currently, there is no valid instrument in German language for assessing social functioning in people with dementia. Therefore, we aim to adapt and psychometrically evaluate the English Social Functioning in Dementia Scale (SF-DEM). Methods In a first step, the SF-DEM was translated from English into German according to the TRAPD model (Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretesting, and Documentation). In a second ste…