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Alzheimer's Association Guidelines and Recommendations
New Recommendations for the Detection of Cognitive Impairment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
An expert workgroup convened by the Alzheimer's Association has published recommendations to help clinicians detect cognitive impairment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. Prior to this publication, there has been no comprehensive guidance on how to assess for cognitive impairment in the primary care setting. These recommendations include a process algorithm that lists brief tools for patients and family members as well as an emphasis on vital patient history, self-reported concerns and clinician observations.
Cordell CB, Borson S, Boustani M, Chodosh J, Reuben D, Verghese J, et al. Alzheimer's Association recommendations for operationalizing the detection of cognitive impairment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit in a primary care setting. Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. 2012. In Press.
- Alzheimer's Association Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Algorithm for the Assessment of Cognition
- Tools highlighted in the recommendations
- Medical Learning Network article on the Annual Wellness Visit (billing information on pages 4-6)
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Fact Sheet
Diagnostic Criteria and Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease from the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Jack CR Jr, Albert MS, Knopman DS, et al. Introduction to the recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011;7(3):257—262.
McKhann GM, Knopman DS, Chertkow H, et al. The diagnosis of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011;7(3):263—269.
Albert MS, Dekosky ST, Dickson D, et al. The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011;7(3):270—279.
Sperling RA, Aisen PS, Beckett LA, et al. Toward defining the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease: Recommendations from the National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association workgroups on diagnostic guidelines for Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2011;7(3):280—292.
Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for Brain Amyloid Imaging with PET in Alzheimer's.
The Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SNMMI) and the Alzheimer's Association have jointly published the first criteria for the appropriate use of imaging technology that creates high-quality images of the amyloid plaques in the brains of living people.
News release
Johnson KA, Minoshima S, Bohnen NI, et al. Appropriate use criteria for amyloid PET: a report of the Amyloid Imaging Task Force, the Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging, and the Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimers Dement. 2013 Jan;9(1):e-1-16.
Guideline on Neuropathologic Assessment of Alzheimer's from the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
Hyman BT, Phelps CH, Beach TG, et al. National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association guidelines for the neuropathologic assessment of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement. 2012 Jan;8(1):1-13.
Clinical trials
The internet and phone-based (800-272-3900) TrialMatch™ service provides comprehensive clinical trial information and an individualized matching service for people with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias, their caregivers, family members and healthcare professionals.
An expert workgroup convened by the Alzheimer's Association published recommendations to help clinicians detect cognitive impairment during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit that included a short list of assessment instruments that can be used to determine if a full dementia evaluation is indicated.
Patient Assessment Tools:
- General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) – Available in multiple languages
- Mini-Cog™
- Memory Impairment Screen
Informant Tools (family members and close friends):
- AD8
- General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG) – Available in multiple languages
- Short Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) – Available in multiple languages
Conference
Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC)
The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's leading forum on dementia research. This annual conference serves as a catalyst for new knowledge about dementia and fosters a vital, collegial research community. The content presented at AAIC is created by researchers for their peers, serving to advance the areas of dementia science that are critical to the success of the field and the discovery of scientific breakthroughs leading to methods of prevention, treatment and, ultimately, a cure for Alzheimer's disease.
Library
The Alzheimer's Association Green-Field Library is a national, privately funded resource facility providing information, materials and services on Alzheimer's disease. It is the nation's largest library and resource center specifically devoted to increasing knowledge about the clinical, scientific and social aspects of Alzheimer's and related dementias. The library fulfills thousands of inquiries a year serving a variety of audiences including the general public, educators, healthcare professionals and families living with Alzheimer's disease.
Patient/Family/Caregiver Support
Alzheimer's Association Helpline at 1.800.272.3900 - The Alzheimer's Association 24/7 Helpline provides reliable information and support to all those who need assistance. Call us toll-free anytime day or night at 1.800.272.3900.
The Alzheimer's Association website provides general information to patients, family, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the public about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including symptoms and signs, seven stages, diagnosis, treatment and clinical studies for persons with dementia. Highlights include the following:
- Links to local Alzheimer's Association Chapters and updates on local programs, resources and events.
- The Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Center brings our caregiving information and tools together into one easy-to-navigate site featuring new and expanded information on early-, late- and middle-stage caregiving and other topics.
- The Safety Center has resources to help families and patients avoid injuries and other traumatic events. It includes our popular Dementia and Driving Resource Center.
- Over 100 downloadable publications and topic sheets on the care and support of persons with dementia and their caregivers.
ALZConnected — An online space for patients and caregivers to connect with other dementia patients and families to ask questions, share support and gather opinions on community resources.
Alzheimer's Navigator — The Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Navigator develops customized action plans for families and person with dementia based on a series of short surveys. Action plans include step-by-step guidance, dementia information and programs and services in the local community.
Hospitalization Happens — A publication from the National Institute on Aging to help persons with dementia and their caregivers prepare for an unexpected or planned trip to the hospital.
Professional society
Alzheimer's Association International Society to Advance Alzheimer's Research and Treatment (ISTAART)
ISTAART is a professional society for scientists, physicians and other professionals involved in the causes and treatments of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
Publications
Alzheimers Association Facts and Figures 2012
Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association is a peer-reviewed publication that covers the entire research spectrum from laboratory science to experimental drugs and innovations in dementia care and practice.
Dementia care practice recommendations
InBrief for Healthcare Professionals
New Diagnostic Criteria and Guidelines for Alzheimer's Disease
Increasing Disclosure of Dementia Diagnosis
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Highlights: Implications for Primary Care
Videos
New videos demonstrate how to assess cognition and disclose an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis in the primary care setting.
The Alzheimer’s Association and the American College of Physicians Foundation have produced a three-program series of videos that demonstrate assessment for possible cognitive impairment during a primary care visit and disclosure of an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Pfizer, Inc. funded the series.
Visit 1: Assessing cognition and recommending follow-up (approx. 7 min.)
Visit 2: Disclosing an Alzheimer’s diagnosis (approx. 11 min.)
Websites
The Alzheimer's Association website provides general information to patients, family, caregivers, healthcare professionals and the public about Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, including symptoms and signs, seven stages, diagnosis, treatment and clinical studies for persons with dementia. Highlights include the following:
- Links to local Alzheimer's Association Chapters and updates on local programs, resources and events.
- The Alzheimer's Association Caregiver Center brings our caregiving information and tools together into one easy-to-navigate site featuring new and expanded information on early-, late- and middle-stage caregiving and other topics.
- The Safety Center has resources to help families and patients avoid injuries and other traumatic events. It includes our popular Dementia and Driving Resource Center.
- Over 100 downloadable publications and topic sheets on the care and support of persons with dementia and their caregivers.
The Alzheimer's Association Research Center is an online resource that provides a look at future directions in treatment, diagnosis and prevention.
ALZConnected — An online space for patients and caregivers to connect with other dementia patients and families to ask questions, share support and gather opinions on community resources.
Alzheimer's Navigator — The Alzheimer's Association Alzheimer's Navigator develops customized action plans for families and person with dementia based on a series of short surveys. Action plans include step-by-step guidance, dementia information and programs and services in the local community.
