Cognitive Health Assessment Implementation Guide
A comprehensive dementia screening implementation guide developed for primary care professionals that provides examples and insights to support the CHA implementation process.
“By caring for elders, you’re caring for the whole family.”
– Family Medicine Resident, UCSF
Now is the time to take action!
The senior population in the U.S. is expected to increase from 58 million in 2022 to 82 million by 2050 (1).
With wait times for dementia specialists in California projected to reach 37 months, improving primary care’s ability to diagnose and manage dementia is crucial (2).
Our guide equips primary care teams with practical strategies for enhancing clinic-specific dementia care through engagement, education, and sustainable development.
We Can Do Better!
Normalizing brain health conversations and making cognitive screening a part of regular primary care practice is necessary and doable. Together, with the Cognitive Health Assessment Implementation Guide, we can do better.
The Four Pillar Implementation Guide
The guide is organized into four pillars, allowing you to select a starting point that works for you. However, we recommend starting with pillar one to confirm that the foundational components are in place before moving forward.
Pillar 1: Establish a Foundation
This pillar outlines how to embark on a practice change endeavor. It includes tips on how to:
- Engage stakeholders
- Identify areas of need
- Establish initial metrics and goals
- Organize next steps into an action plan
Pillar 2: Build Capacity
This pillar reviews education and training plans to help ensure that all staff have the knowledge and tools to successfully provide quality dementia care:
- Choose a foundational training program
- Disseminate training
- Identify additional training needs
Pillar 3: Implement with a Team
This pillar provides practical and tactical examples for implementing cognitive assessment processes. This includes:
- Screening workflow examples
- Interpretation tips
- Documentation and billing best practices
- Brain health planning strategies
Pillar 4: Measure and Monitor Improvement
This pillar outlines ways to:
- Measure ongoing efforts
- Maintain improvements
- Ensure lasting patient care impact
Dementia Care Aware is here to help!
Are you a healthcare professional with questions about dementia screening, care planning or implementation?
Call our warmline today at 1-800-933-1789!
The cognitive health assessment implementation guide is intended to be self-directed; if you would like more hands-on support, visit our practice support page for consultative implementation services.
