2.2.2. Care-recipient variables
Functional status: Care recipient’s functional status was
measured with the Barthel Index (Mahoney and Barthel, 1965),
a 10-item measure that assesses the person’s ability to perform 10
basic daily life activities, providing a quantitative estimation of his
or her level of dependency (higher scores are indicative of better
functional status). The scale had good internal consistency
(Cronbach’s a = 0.91).
Cognitive status: Care recipient’s cognitive status was measured
with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (Pfeiffer,
1975), a 10-item instrument for detecting the presence of
intellectual impairment. The scale had good internal consistency
(Cronbach’s a = 0.94).