Clock Copying Predicts Mortality in Adult Protective Services Clients

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if a clock copying task predicts 18-month mortality in an Adult Protective Services (APS) sample referred for a decision-making capacity assessment. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective medical record review of clients (N = 233) referred by APS for a decision-making capacity assessment during a 3-year time period. Information extracted included demographic data and neuropsychological performance on a battery sensitive to executive function, visuospatial ability, depression, memory, and general cognition. A Cox proportional hazards models was constructed to determine the relationship between Executive Clock Drawing Task Part 2 (CLOX2) performance and survival. Results: Poor clock copying, as measured by CLOX2, predicted 18-month mortality when covaried for age, education, sex, rural dwelling status, depression, and general cognition. Conclusions: Clock copying is an easily administered visuospatial task that may inform survival in this vulnerable population.