Cognitively Impaired Residents

According to the CDC, 69% of all admissions to post-acute have cognitive impairment/dementia as one of their diagnoses. With the exception of those communities that provide secure special care memory/dementia units, there is often a lack of understanding as to how to manage these residents.

The first thing we should all understand is that education regarding cognitive loss/dementia is very limited in most nursing programs and medical school programs. This leaves the post-acute nurse with limited support or tools for managing this resident outside of pharmacological interventions.

In managing residents with cognitive impairment dementia, the attendee will understand:

• Seeking Education- Alzheimer’s Association, etc.
• Setting expectations with family members
• The importance of a thorough physical and cognitive assessment utilizing universally accepted cognitive assessment tools- SLUMS, BIMS, MMSE, MOCA- in addition to the MDS for skilled facilities and accepted assessment tools for assisted living communities
• Safety considerations for care of those with cognitive impairment in a NON-secure/locked setting
• Collaboration with Speech Therapy for cognitive therapy to improve resident function as possible
• Non-pharmacological interventions to mitigate or prevent behaviors relevant to unmet needs