LEARNING FROM IN-DEPTH COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS CONDUCTED IN RURAL INDEPENDENT LIVING FACILITIES

Despite benefits to earlier Alzheimer’s disease interventions, efforts to increase dementia detection and treatment in high-risk rural areas are lacking. Barriers include lack of resources, including limited time for providers to conduct in-depth cognitive assessments. A pilot program tested the effectiveness of a home-based approach for increasing rates of AD detection and treatment in a rural retired farmworker community. Depression and cognitive screenings of 139 residents conducted by community health workers were followed up with in-depth geriatric-focused assessments, including the Moca-B, by experienced, culturally diverse adult gerontological nurse practitioners (AGNPs). Their findings were forwarded to primary providers. This approach was evaluated for effectiveness using correlations, regressions, and Chi-square analyses of variables on rates of ADRD screening, referrals, and ADRD diagnosis.