The experiential impacts of cognitive function tests upon men with dementia

Critical evaluation is undertaken of the impacts of cognitive function tests upon the experience of men with dementia and their carers. There has been a strong biomedical focus on the efficacy of cognitive function tests, with little attention granted to their broader
experiential effects. Primary data from a qualitative study are utilised to demonstrate these impacts. These are presented under four key themes: concerns with regard to the validity of tests; impacts upon self-esteem; shaping carers’ perceptions of the condition; and tests
being viewed as a resource that is offered in the absence of more person-centred support. Further research, which specifically focuses on the experiential impacts of cognitive function assessments, is therefore required as a matter of urgency.