The assessment schedule in BASE began with a multidisciplinary Intake Assessmemt session which, in time and effort , corresponded to a typical multidisciplinary survey study of older adults. It contained objective and subjective measures from all four BASE research units.
Two rationales guided the construction of the Intake Assessment (Session 1). Because the study expected some subjects to drop out in the course of the Intensive Protocol, the first goal was to monitor sample attrition and selective attrition. It was intended to have a data base available early in the data collection process that could provide with a wide range of information permitting the examination of sample heterogeneity and selectivity. A second consideration concerned the later longitudinal follow-ups with a less intensive assessment battery.
The Intake Assessment contained objective measures of physical status, mental health, psychological functioning, socioeconomic status, and residential situation.
In addition, several instruments were used by the interviewers to document the different sessions and contacts: