Review Video

On average, the prevalence rate of dementia among hospitalized older adults is 25%. Because of the risk factors associated with dementia, which include: delirium, dehydration, falls and functional decline (among others), awareness of this diagnosis or probability is key to developing an appropriate plan of care. The Recognition of Dementia in Hospitalized Older Adults tool includes two instruments which can alert staff to the likelihood of a dementia: a brief family questionnaire and a set of patient behaviors which can cue staff that some type of cognitive impairment may be present and further assessment is needed. Many of the issues addressed in the family questionnaire are incorporated in the admission assessment process routinely administered by nursing staff.

In the video, behaviors and family concerns are elicited by a staff nurse during a routine hospital admission assessment of a patient with memory problems admitted for knee replacement, and the results shared with an interdisciplinary team who use the information to plan post-operative care. In addition to identifying steps to more suitably address pain management, minimize potential delirium, and prevent dehydration and functional decline; the staff discusses how to inform the family members about the plan of care, the rationale, and what to expect during the course of hospitalization and discharge. This video organizes information in chaptered formats for viewers interested in specific aspects of the program.

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Katie Maslow is associate director for quality care advocacy at the Alzheimer’s Association in Washington, DC and has no significant ties, financial or otherwise, to any company that might have an interest in the publication of this educational activity.