The NIA-A Case Study

Early diagnosis of dementia can have a huge impact on the individual and their family and friends.

Quadagno (2014) discusses ways cognitive abilities differ from young-adults, middle-old adults and oldest old adults. Cognitive decline can also be affected by conditions such as stroke, depression, diabetes, auditory, and vision problems. Older adults may also encounter age related cognitive decline in their daily lives. Cognitive abilities such as processing speed, episodic memory, working memory and dual task processing are abilities that researchers are aiming to improve in older adults (Basak, et al, 2008; Quadagno, 2014).

c) Age-related cognitive impairment (or mild cognitive impairment MCI) – is when an elderly person’s memory starts to wane and they have problems recalling their short term memories, they have difficulty learning new things, their thinking process starts to become reduced and have difficulty concentrating. It is thought that MCI can develop due to alcohol abuse and cognitive decline (poor diet, chronic inflammation, vascular disease and

Having a diagnosis of dementia means someone has had a decline in mental awareness sometimes it can be bad enough to restrict the patient’s ability to perform their activities of daily living. Many times memory loss is the first sign and symptoms. Since dementia is a life-limiting disease, it is essential that doctors and clinicians have the best tools available. In preparation for proposing Centra PACE replaces their current cognitive tool with the MoCA the writer will schedule a meeting with the Medical Director and Quality Coordinator to discuss the proposal. The writer would present all the relevant EBP data that identified a statistical significance that the MoCA could replace the MMSE the presentation would also show the data that proved the MoCA is a more accurate tool for assessing patients with (MCI). After receiving buy in from the Medical Director and Quality Coordinator, the writer would schedule a meeting with the Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Social Workers, and Registered Nurse of the Centra PACE program. In this meeting, the writer would offer the evidence about why the team should consider changing their cognitive assessment tool to the MoCA.

Alzheimer’s disease progresses through many stages, ranging from early to severe. Memory problems are normally one of the first warning signs of cognitive loss, possibly due to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. However, some people with memory problems present with a condition called amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with this condition have more memory problems than normal for people their age, but symptoms are not quite as severe as those seen in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Some researchers have found those people with MCI also present with movement difficulties and problems with sense of smell. The ability of people with MCI to perform daily activities is not significantly impaired. Although, older people with MCI when compared to those without MCI, do go on to develop Alzheimer’s disease.

A goal of this project was to determine if the MoCA would accurately identify patients with MCI. Catching a cognitive deficit early can improve the quality of life for the patients and can also improve caregiver stress. In implementing this plan the writer will involve all necessary staff as much as possible.

As a person ages, theirs body cannot perform the way it used to. This will cause many elderly people to loose their job or choose to go into retirement. Both of these options cause a loss in health care as well and a reduced or exterminated income. Here alone lies a reason that the elderly population is challenged. The elderly population also has a tendency to develop a chronic illness that can be life threatening if not treated or controlled properly. This means that need for health care treatments also increases. At least 40% of those over age 65 will have nutrition-related health problems requiring treatment or management (Gigante, 2012). It is important to realize that 10% of people over the age of 65 and will develop Alzheimer’s disease and 50% of those over the age of 85 will develop this disease (Gigante, 2012). More elderly African American men and women use government aid than white men and women. Therefore, this population will be vulnerable because of the lack of funding, proper health care and insurance.

The elderly population is growing with 35 million people who are age 65 years or older and half are between the ages of 65 to 74 and the other half are over the age of 75. The population age 85 years or older are the fastest growing population (Dubow, 2017). In 1991 the Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported that 8 out of 10 people over the age of 60 had one or more chronic diseases or impairments which included arthritis, hypertension, hearing impairment, heart disease, cataracts, deformity or orthopedic impairment, chronic sinusitis,

Aging is a universal phenomenon and humans are no exception. Gerontology deals with the psychological, social and biological aspects of aging process. A recent study shows that people aged 85 years and older are expected to augment from 5.3 million people to 21 million as the world reach 2050. In today’s world Gerontology has an enormous role to play so that the senior citizens could be analyzed and their needs may be addressed with compassion and empathy.

A growing percentage of elderly people are starting to populate the world. With advances in modern medicine, the life expectancy has risen from

During this step the researcher start reviewing and critique relevant literature. It was concluded that there is a need for a better cognitive tool to identify MCI. If the patient is not diagnosed correctly then treatment could be postponed until their symptoms get worse. Current medications for the treatment of Dementia do not cure the disease they have been shown to lessen or stabilize symptoms. Clinicians are hesitant to start medications on patients unless there is evidence to back the need for the drug. If clinicians do not have the right tools to assist in the diagnosis of Dementia these medications may not be prescribed soon enough. In this step the researcher will sell this problem and question to the

Early dementia is also known as MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) and only about half of those with this diagnosis move on to one of the more progressive dementias. So, it is understandable that some in a family might say – “Grandma was just like Dad.” “But, she was able to take care of herself till she was 85.”

The elderly population that is aged 85 and over, is expected to need more health and long-term care services, which is anticipated to rise by 350%.

America is facing a previously unknown challenge. By the years 2030 the number of people reaching retirement will have doubled, this will account for an increase from 12 percent to almost 20 percent of the United States population. By 2050 the number of Americans who are over the age of 85 and make up the highest amount of chronic illness, poverty, and need for assistance with activities of daily living, will quadruple to 19 million. (CSWE.org)

As the population continues to grow older age and life expectancy increases. As a result continued awareness, study and research concerning