Improving Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults in Primary Care Clinics: Recommendations From an Interdisciplinary Geriatrics Summit.

As the population ages, the prevalence of cognitive impairment due to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer disease (AD) is expected to double in the United States to nearly 14 million over the next 40 years. AD and related dementias (ADRD) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality and among the costliest to society. Although emerging biomedical interventions for ADRD focus on early stages and are currently limited to AD, care management can benefit patients with ADRD across the disease course.

Clinical update on dementia with Lewy bodies for primary care NPs.

Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia in older adults. NPs in primary care must have a thorough understanding of this complex disease in order to ensure appropriate referrals, provide patient and caregiver education, and comanage this disease with other healthcare professionals.

Pharmacotherapy for Depression and Anxiety in the Primary Care Setting.

The prevalence of mental health disorders is rising with the coronavirus of 2019 pandemic, and millions of Americans reside in areas with mental health professional shortages. Primary care providers have an opportunity to provide care for commonly occurring mental health disorders. Using a holistic conceptualization of recovery in mental illness, this report provides evidence-based guidance for initiation, titration, and discontinuation of pharmacotherapy for mild to moderate depression and anxiety in the primary care setting.

Educational Theory and Cognitive Science: Practical Principles to Improve Patient Education.

There can be multiple barriers to implementation of patient education, yet there are also multiple modalities and opportunities for engaging patients. Using frameworks and evidence from multiple disciplines can inform nursing design of patient education approaches. This article provides an introduction to educational theory and cognitive science principles such as constructivism, metacognition, deliberate practice, and cognitive load for consideration in improving the effectiveness and outcomes of patient education.

Opportunities for the advanced practice nurse in improving the wellbeing of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression have increased during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic across age groups. Older adults may additionally be experiencing accelerated cognitive decline and increased behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia related to the pandemic and associated isolation precautions. The advanced practice nurse has an opportunity to holistically intervene to mitigate the negative effects of isolation and promote older adults' wellbeing during challenging times.

Speak-Up Culture in Academic Nursing: Empowering Junior Faculty.

Background: Faculty-to-faculty incivility in academic nursing is well documented, yet speaking up about the unprofessional behaviors of academic colleagues is still a challenge, particularly for junior faculty.

Method: A unique faculty development session presented an opportunity to explore junior faculty experiences and perceptions of incivility, with the objectives of addressing concerns in a safe environment, identifying appropriate responses and resources for managing incivility, and supporting decisional influences on speaking up.

Results: Junior faculty were valued for their unique perspectives of the institutional culture and empowered as members of speak-up culture in the academic setting.

Degenerative or Debilitative Neurologic Syndromes.

Neurodegenerative disorders are progressive, debilitating impairments of neurologic function. Dementia affects cognition and function. Persons with cognitive deficits should undergo a full workup and may be treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and/or memantine.

Polypharmacy and Medication Management in Older Adults.

Polypharmacy in older adults is a global problem that has recently worsened. Approximately 30% of adults aged 65 years and older in developed countries take 5 or more medications. Although prescribed and over-the-counter medications may improve a wide range of health problems, they also may cause or contribute to harm, especially in older adults.

The power of nursing: An innovative course in values clarification and self-discovery.

Teaching for a practice is more than the dissemination of knowledge and information to the learner. Professional nursing education requires teachers to facilitate students' self-reflection and awareness and assimilation of core professional and personal values in order for the new nurse to anchor and internalize these values as part of a professional identity. To achieve this, nursing educators recognize the importance of learning opportunities centered in the affective domain and the importance of teaching for professional formation that supports nursing students' commitment to the values of their chosen community of practice.