Brain Health, Cognitive Impairment, and Dementia - 2017 Edition of KAER Toolkit
Article Index
2017 KAER Toolkit: 4-Step Process to Detecting Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Diagnosis of Dementia
Approaches and tools for primary care providers
This comprehensive toolkit is focused on the KAER model developed by the GSA Workgroup on Cognitive Impairment Detection and Earlier Diagnosis. The workgroup identified valuable tools and resources to implement the four steps in the KAER model. The resulting toolkit provides options for each of the steps so that PCPs, health plans and health care systems can select the approaches and tools that fit best with their existing primary care structure, organization, and procedures.
The toolkit is broken down by each section of the KAER model to allow quick and easy access:
- Kickstart the cognition conversation
- Assess for cognitive impairment
- Evaluate for dementia
- Refer for community resources
Each step in the model will help the PCP initiate conversations about brain health, detect and assess cognitive impairment, diagnose dementia, and provide post‐diagnostic referrals for education and supportive community services for persons with dementia and their family caregivers.
There also is a free companion webinar, "How to Use the GSA KAER Toolkit: A 4-step Process to Detecting Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Diagnosis of Dementia."
KAER Toolkit Table of Contents
List of Approaches and Tools Found in the Toolkit
Introduction
- The KAER Model (Page 6)
- Objectives and components of the toolkit (page 8)
- General tips for communications with older adults (page 10)
- Terms and definitions (page 10)
- Appendices — Tools to Use (page 11)
Additional Resources
- The Gerontological Society of America Workgroup on Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Diagnosis: Report and Recommendations
- The cognitive assessment tools mentioned in this report are accessible from the following two websites: the Alzheimer’s Association and the National Institute on Aging
- December 2017 webinar: "How to Use the GSA KAER Toolkit: A 4-step Process to Detecting Cognitive Impairment and Earlier Diagnosis of Dementia"
- January 2015 webinar: Medicare Annual Wellness Visit as Springboard to Detection of Cognitive Impairment, Diagnosis, and Post-Diagnosis Support
- November 2014 symposium: Medicare Annual Wellness Visit as Springboard to Detection of Cognitive Impairment, Diagnosis, and Post-Diagnosis Support handouts
Workgroup Members
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Richard H. Fortinsky, PhD (chair) Michelle Barclay Cyndy B. Cordell (ex officio) Roderick A. Corriveau, PhD (ex officio) Nicole Barylski Danner, DO Fred Kobylarz MD, MPH Ian N. Kremer Shari M. Ling, MD Natalia Loskutova, MD, PhD Katie Maslow, MSW |
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Lisa C. McGuire, PhD Jerrold Lee Penso, MD, MBA Eleanor M. Perfetto, PhD, MS Ronald C. Petersen PhD, MD Mike Simmons, PhD (ex officio) George Vradenburg Molly V. Wagster, PhD (ex officio) Joan Weiss, PhD, RN, CRNP, FAAN
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This program is developed by GSA and supported by Eli Lilly and Company.
