ABSTRACT
This chapter is a comprehensive reference manual providing information on the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale, which is a clinician rating scale that aims to determine the degree of dementia severity. A global categorical classification (clinical staging) procedure is used that evaluates “the influence of cognitive loss on the ability to conduct everyday activities”. The CDR was originally developed for people with Alzheimer’s disease and subsequently it has been widely used with all types of dementia. A brief history of the instrument's development is provided, along with a description of item content and administration/scoring procedures. Psychometric properties are reviewed and a critical commentary is provided. Key references are cited and in most cases the actual scale is included, giving the reader easy access to the instrument.
