title: Nurse-led cognitive screening model for older adults in primary care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study aimed to establish a nurse-led cognitive screening model for community-dwelling older adults with subjective memory complaints from seven communities in Chongqing, China, and report the findings of this model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Screenings took place from July 2012 to June 2013. Cognitive screening was incorporated into the annual health assessment for older adults with subjective memory complaints in a primary care setting. Two community nurses were trained to implement the screening using the Mini-Mental State Examination and Montreal Cognitive Assessment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 733 older adults, 495 (67.5%) reported having subjective memory complaints. Of the 249 individuals who participated in the cognitive screening, 102 (41%) had mild cognitive impairment, whereas 32 (12.9%) had cognitive impairment. A total of 80 participants (78.4%) with mild cognitive impairment agreed to participate in a memory support program. Participants with cognitive impairment were referred to specialists for further examination and diagnosis; only one reported that he had seen a specialist and had been diagnosed with dementia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Incorporating cognitive screening into the annual health assessment for older adults with subjective memory complaints was feasible, though referral rates from primary care providers remained unchanged. The present study highlights the urgent need for simple screenings as well as community-based support services in primary care for older adults with cognitive or mild cognitive impairments.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Yanni
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Lily Dongxia
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Lanlan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology and Center for Clinical Neuroscience, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Yanjiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Flinders Center for Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Shahid
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ullah
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D011320:Primary Health Care
keywords: cognitive impairment; dementia; memory disorders; older adults; primary care