Wechsler Memory Scale performance in geropsychiatric patients.

Patients (N = 36) on a geropsychiatric acute care unit were administered the Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) at admission and discharge. The results indicated that there were significant increases in WMS scores from admission to discharge. Mean scores on the WMS were generally below those previously reported for normal geriatric groups, but above those reported for chronically ill or demented groups. As in previous studies, a significant positive relationship was found between education and WMS score, although no such relationship was found between age and WMS score. Overall, the results highlight the need for comprehensive norms for the elderly, which would increase greatly the practical utility of the WMS in clinical settings.