The Holden Communication Scale (HCS)

The Holden Communication Scale (HCS) The Holden communication scale (HCS) has been developed by Una Holden and includes 12 items. The score range from 0-48 and the higher score the more difficulties. Choose only ONE answer. The HCS was psychometric tested in 2016 (Strøm, Engedal, Saltyte Benth, & Grov, 2016). Holden Conversation 1.Response

2.Interest in past events

3.Pleasure

4.Humour

Score 0. Initiates conversation deeply involved with anyone 1.Good for those familiar to person 2.Fair response to those close by; no initiation of conversation 3.Rather confused; poor comprehension 4.Rarely or never converse 0.Long, full account of past events 1.Fairly good description 2.Short description; a little confused 3.Confused or disinterested 4.No response 0.Shows real pleasure in situation /achievement 1.Smiles and shows interest 2.Variable response; slight smile; vague 3.Rarely shows even a smile 4.No response of just weeps 0.Creates situation or tells funny story on own initiative 1.Enjoys comic situations or stories 2.Needs an explanation and encouragement to respond 3.Vague smile; simply copies others 4.No response or negativistic

Awareness and knowledge 5.Names 0.Knows most people’s names on ward 1.Knows a few names 2.Needs a constant reminder 3.Knows own name only 4.Forgotten even own name 6.General 0.Knows day, month, weather and whereabouts orientation 1.Can forget one or two items 2.Usually gets two right but tries 3.Vague; may guess one 4.Very confused 7.General 0.Good om current events; generally able knowledge 1.Outstanding events only; fair on general knowledge

2.No current knowledge; poor general information 3.Confused about many things; gets anxious and upset 4.Confused about everything; does not respond 8.Ability to join 0.Joins in games and activities with ease in games etc. 1.Requieres careful instructions but joins in 2.Can only join in simple activities 3.Becomes anxious and upset 4.Cannot or will not join in Communication 9.Speech 0.No known difficulty 1.Slight hesitation or odd wording 2.Very few words; mainly automatic phrases 3.Inappropriate words; odd wounds; nodding 4.Little or no verbalisation 10.Attempts at 0.Communicates with ease communication 1.Tries hard to speak clearly 2.Tries to draw; gesticulates needs etc. 3.Euphoric laughter; weeping; aggressive 4.No attempt 11.Interest and 0.Responds with interest and comment response to 1.Despite difficulties shows interest objects 2.Shows some interest, but rather vague 3.Weeps; rejects objects; shows aggression 4.No response; no comprehension 12.Success in 0.Clearly understood communication 1.Uses gestures and sounds effectively 2.Understanding restricted to a few people 3.Becomes frustrated and angry 4.Makes no attempt Total score Sign Date References Strøm, B. S., Engedal, K., Saltyte Benth, J., & Grov, E. K. (2016). Psychometric evaluation of the Holden Communication Scale (HCS) for persons with dementia. BMJ Open, 6(12), e013447. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-013447