Cognitive assessment and differentiating the 3 Ds (dementia, depression, delirium).
Differentiation between a diminished or altered cognitive functioning asa consequence of aging and one resulting from serious health problems is critical in the elderly. An unrecognized cognitive disorder or the worsening of the impairment may hamper the effectiveness and appropriateness of care and treatment; therefore, standardized assessment procedures and systematic monitoring of cognition and behavior are important aspects of the nursing care. of older adults. In this article, current notions for accurate and comprehensive cognitive assessment in older persons are delineated. Further, an overview of epidemiological screening and diagnostic dilemmas of dementia, depression, and deliriumare provided.
Centre for Health Services and Nursing Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Kapucijnenvoer 35/4, 3000 Leuven, Belgium. koen.milisen@med.kuleuven.be
Koen
K
Milisen
Tom
T
Braes
Donna M
DM
Fick
Marquis D
MD
Foreman
D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology / Q000523:psychology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003071:Cognition; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D010465:Perception; D011287:Prejudice; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology