[Validity of a new psychogeriatric behavior observation scale for application in nursing homes and homes for the aged].

In this article we report a study on the validity and discriminating power of the behaviour rating scale OPG - 'Observation Psycho Geriatrics'. The OPG was designed to measure the need of care and the remaining capacities of people with a mild dementia syndrome. To establish the external validity in nursing homes, the OPG was compared with the BOP (Dutch version of the Stockton Geriatric Rating Scale) for 74 residents and in homes for the aged with the BPS, a rating scale for mental and social problems (66 residents). Both scales show a substantial relationship with the OPG and confirm its validity. Assumptions concerning OPG-scales were given for six different levels of residential care (829 residents). The 7 distinguished OPG-scales show differences in mean scores, which are in general plausible in the light of these assumptions. The mean scores for residents in homes for the aged who receive special treatment are best comparable with those of average nursing home residents.