GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA’S COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT DETECTION AND EARLIER DIAGNOSIS INITIATIVE

In January, 2015, the Gerontological Society of America (GSA) released a report by an expert Workgroup aimed at increasing detection and diagnosis of cognitive impairment in older adults by primary care practitioners. This report included recommendations in the form of a 4-step process to help improve the detection and diagnosis rate and spur referrals of older adults and their families to dementia-capable community resources that are widely available but little known to primary care practitioners. The process, known as KAER, includes: K ick-starting brain health conversation, even among asymptomatic older patients; A ssessing for cognitive impairment using tools that are brief, validated, no cost, and easily available; E valuating for dementia diagnosis by referring to clinical specialists or following clinical practice guidelines; and R eferring diagnosed patients and families to community resources for further education and support. The report also recommended a national Summit of primary care practitioners and health system representatives to develop action plans for disseminating and implementing the KAER process in primary care practices. This national Summit is scheduled for August, 2016. In the proposed Symposium, Fortinsky will provide greater detail about the GSA report and Summit, Maslow will discuss the KAER toolkit developed for use and dissemination at the Summit, and Kobylarz will present on the usefulness and impact of the Summit and KAER materials on Summit attendees based on surveys they will complete before and after the Summit. Discussant Simmons will place this GSA KAER initiative within the broader context of efforts to improve dementia care for older adults.