RUDAS

Australia is culturally diverse, with many people who have non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB). Unfortunately this can make the MMSE difficult to use as many of the concepts do not translate easily. A new tool was developed and validated in the multicultural population of South West Sydney: the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale – (RUDAS).  The score is affected by age but it is not affected by educational level or preferred language. (Storey, Rowland, Conforti, and Dickson 2006).  This test is most applicable to people with limited ability to speak or understand spoken English and, unlike the other tests, it remains reliable when administered through an interpreter. 

This tool is commonly used by allied health staff and ACAT nurses.