Elaboration and validation of the CICAc instrument: classification of the aged concerning self care ability

Abstract

The paper describes the elaboration and validation process of the CICAc Instrument - classification of the aged concerning self care ability - and to present the main results. It is considered that it is used by occupational therapist in regard to the aged, specially in Basic Health Units (BHU). The instrument was elaborated in three phases: Preliminary Questionnaire, Adapted Questionnaire, and First Version of the Instrument, from the interviews with elderly people and analysis of the content of these interviews. To establish the validity of the content, the instrument has been appraised and adjusted by a judging team of specialists, in three phases, employing the Delphi Technique. To assess its reliability it has been applied twice to a group of elderly people. The items researched have achieved average rates of approval of 93,3% regarding content and 86,7% regarding statement. Its stability has been calculated using the Kappa coefficient, which showed moderate to excellent concordance. The instrument presented internal consistency concerning both basic and instrumental activities of daily living, the Alpha of Cronbach being 0,713 and 0,704 respectively. After the validation process, the CICAc Instrument allows classification of the elderly concerning self care ability and, it can be considered appropriate to the BHU routine.