Training for Memory Screeners · 2017. 8. 31. · Training for Memory Screeners. National Memory Screening Program was launched in 2002 by the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

AFA’s National Memory Screening Program

Josie DiChiara, Senior Vice President of External Relations, jdichiara@alzfdn.org

Lauren Totaro, National Program Coordinator, ltotaro@alzfdn.org

Molly Fogel, LCSW Director of Educational and Social Services, mfogel@alzfdn.org

National Toll-Free Helpline 866-232-8484

Training for

Memory Screeners

National Memory Screening Program was launched in 2002 by the Alzheimer’s Foundation

of America (AFA) and provides free, confidential memory screenings to individuals

concerned about memory loss with the objective of early detection and intervention.

• INITIATIVE COMPONENTS:

o Community Memory Screenings (CMS)- hold year round memory screenings

• Memory screenings are not used to diagnose, and do not replace consultation with a

qualified physician or other healthcare professional.

• All the necessary tools are provided to sites by AFA —at no cost.

• Participating sites and information about the screening are listed on

www.nationalmemoryscreening.org

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

What is Dementia?

DEMENTIA

Memory loss

Impaired motor skills

Impaired judgement

Language challengesPermanent & Progressive

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Dementia is caused by damage

to brain cells

This damage interferes with the ability

of brain cells to communicate with each

other. When brain cells cannot

communicate normally, thinking,

behavior and feelings can be affected.

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Alzheimer’s Disease

• Most common form of dementia

• Neurological disorder capable of severely impacting

mental and physical functioning

• Progressive and irreversible

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

The Importance of Early Detection

• Improves quality of life

• Empowers individuals to learn more about

the disease

• Allows opportunity to seek counseling and

other social services support

• Enables individuals to access treatments

earlier

• Provides individuals time and capacity to

address legal, medical and financial issues

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

National Memory Screening Portal

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

National Memory Screening DatabaseYou will go to: www.alzfdn.org

ltotaro@alzfdn.org

**********

National Memory Screening Portal

Homepage

National Memory Screening Portal

National Memory Screening Portal-

Profile

National Memory Screening Portal

National Memory Screening Portal -

Add/Submit a New Screening Site

National Memory Screening Portal

National Memory Screening Portal -

Manage My Screening Sites

National Memory Screening Database

National Memory Screening Portal-

Screening Materials

National Memory Screening Portal -

Essential Event Materials

General Instructions

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Who Can Administer Screenings?

• Qualified Healthcare Professionals

o Nurses

o Nurse Practitioners

o Social Workers

o Dementia Care Practitioners

o Certified Health Educators

o Primary Care Physicians

o Psychologists

o Neurologists

o Geriatricians

o Physician’s Assistants

o Pharmacists

General Instructions: For the Greeter

• Greet participants

• Offer educational materials

• Write/call out first names only

• Guide and introduce participants to the screeners

o Accompanying individuals should remain in the waiting area

• Do not answer any questions that you are unsure of about the screening process

• Do not provide any medical information; Refer participants to the screeners

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

General Instructions: For the Screener

• Familiarize and prep yourself before the event

• Ask the participant if there are any special considerations to be aware of

• Ensure participant provides consent

• Administer the memory screening

• Understand that memory screening results are confidential and not a diagnosis

• Encourage follow up

• Keep scores confidential

Administering Memory Screenings

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Screening Area

• Privacy is important. Use dividers/curtains

• Ensure confidentiality is maintained

• All information must be stored appropriately. Keep consent forms in a secured place.

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Background on Screening Tests

Tests identified by AFA’s Memory Screening Advisory Board:• BAS (Brief Alzheimer’s Screening)

• GPCOG (General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition)• Mini-Cog

• MIS (Memory Impairment Screen)

These four tests meet the MSAB accepted criteria:• Effective screens

• Easy to administer• Validated by research

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Voluntary Participant Survey

• Encourage participants to

complete the Voluntary

Participant Survey

• By completing the survey,

participants are helping to

improve AFA’s memory

screening initiative!

• Mail, Fax, or Email

completed surveys back

to AFA

Consent Forms• Only the screener should provide and

explain the “Participant Consent Form” to the participant

• The consent form shows agreement of the following:

o full understand of the memory screening purpose

o right to confidentiality

o consent to participate in the memory screening

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Please note that when individuals ask you for the date, you cannot tell them as this is a question on some of the screening tools.

BAS (Brief Alzheimer’s Screening)• 5 questions

• Follow step by step directions

• There is no top score.

• If the participant scores 23 or below-

possible cognitive impairment; further testing

by a qualified healthcare professional is

recommended

• If the participant scores 24 or above- no

significant cognitive impairment indicated;

further testing not recommended; suggest

repeating test in 1 year.

Tips-

• You will need a timer. (cell phones are

handy!)

GPCOG (General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition)

• Directions and flow of GPCOG are

scripted for you

• 6 questions: Name and address for

subsequent recall, time orientation,

clock drawing, information, and recall

• Unless specified, each question should

only be asked once

• The maximum score is a 9.

If the participant scores…0-4 - There is possible cognitive impairment; further testing by a qualified

healthcare professional is recommended.

5-8- More information if required; further testing by a qualified healthcare

professional is suggested

9- There is no significant cognitive impairment indicated; further testing

not recommended; suggest repeating test in 1 year.

Mini-Cog• The Mini-Cog uses a three-item recall test for memory and a simply

scored clock-drawing test.

• The maximum score is a 5.

• If the participant scores 0-2, there is possible cognitive impairment; further testing by a qualified healthcare professional is recommended.

• If the participant scores 3-5, there is no significant cognitive impairment indicated; further testing not recommended; suggest repeating test in 1 year.

Tips-

1 point is given for each recalled word

To score the clock- It must have all the numbers, each only once, are present in the correct order and direction. Two hands must be present, one pointing to 11 and one pointing to 2. Any missing elements is scored abnormal. Abnormal= 0 points Normal= 2 points

Participants do not need to fill out the demographic information at the top of the page. Just date is needed.

MIS (Memory Impairment Screen)

• Consists of controlled learning, a short delay, and free recall,

followed by cued recall for items that were not previously

recalled

• If the participant scores 0-4- possible cognitive impairment;

further testing by a qualified healthcare professional is

recommended

• If the participant scores 5-8- no significant cognitive impairment

indicated; further testing not recommended; suggest repeating

test in 1 year.

• The maximum score is an 8.

Next steps are (on page

2 of the screen) :

• Distractor activity

(naming animals)- no

points for this activity

• Free recall- 2 points per

word

• Cued recall- 1 point per

word

Screening Tools Recap

• Tools do not provide a diagnosis

• Tools are preliminary and basic

• All results should be discussed with primary physician or specialist

Tools are interpreted by subject scores and explanations of scores are further discussed on accompanied information sheet.

Next Steps

After screening is administered, ensure the following:• Results are explained & remind participants that:

• The results are not a diagnosis

• It is recommended to have screenings done every year as part of their annual wellness exam

• If participant scored below the threshold, expresses concern, or has further questions that they visit their primary care physician or specialist

• Complete the Participant Departure Packet• What Now? What Do I Do After My Memory Screenings?

• Letter to Healthcare Professional

• Provide resources and support

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

Next Steps – Participant Departure CardFill in the following on this page:

• Brief Alzheimer’s Screening

• Participant’s Score

• If it is the participant should speak with their physician/need further testing

23Brief Alzheimer’sScreening

✔

Brief Alzheimer’s Screening

24+23

Aug. 31, 2017 Jane Doe

Yes

Back of Card

What Happens If…

Individuals may exhibit a range of emotions upon receiving scores and discussion of next steps

Screeners should be aware of the following:

• Expressions of anger, confusion, denial, fear, sadness, and a variety of other emotions

• Listen, be supportive, educate and provide resources

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484

After Your Memory Screening Event

Keep the Consent Forms in Secure Place

Fill in and Return Data Collection Sheet and Completed Voluntary

Participant Surveys to AFA! You can now do this in the portal!

We love to receive pictures, newspaper clippings, and hear

feedback!!!

✔

AFA Resources and Support

• National Toll-free Helpline: 866-232-8484

• Monday-Friday, 9am–9pm EST, Saturday 9am-1pm EST

• Phone, email, Skype, and chat

• Concepts in Care Educational Conferences for Family & Professional Caregivers

• Dementia Care Professionals of America- training and certification

• Educational resources

• AFA Care Quarterly magazine

• Care Connection monthly teleconference

AFA unites 2,600 member organizations nationwide that provide direct resources and care.

www.alzfdn.org866-232-8484

Questions ?

Lauren Totaro, MPH, CHES

National Program Coordinator

ltotaro@alzfdn.org

866-232-8484 ext. 130

AFA’s National Toll-Free Helpline

866-232-8484