Monograph

CME Report: Working Together: Improving Early Diagnosis and Management of Alzheimer’s Disease in Primary Care

At a Glance

  • Primary care clinicians play critical roles in identifying patients who have or are at risk for cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and ensuring that they receive prompt and effective care.
  • Alzheimer’s disease progresses along a continuum that spans three basic phases: pre-clinical AD; mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD; and Alzheimer’s dementia.
  • Hallmark symptoms of early-stage AD include difficulty remembering recent conversations, names, or events, apathy, or depression.
  • Early signs and symptoms of AD can often be distinguished from natural age-related cognitive changes.
  • Early identification and proactive management of mild cognitive impairment can improve the quality of life for patients who will ultimately experience cognitive decline and for their caregivers.
  • Many convenient screening tools for cognitive impairment can be implemented in primary care.
  • Effective management requires honest and frank conversations, and the clinician should educate and prepare the patient and caregivers about what to expect.
  • Several recently approved agents address the underlying biology of AD, although these are not widely available at present.
  • Optimal management incorporates a holistic approach that combines medical, social, and emotional support for the patient and the caregiver.
  • Management includes establishing a professional AD care team (e.g., neurologist, gerontologist, social worker, psychiatrist) and ensuring that family caregivers receive effective training in managing the day-to-day life of the care recipient.
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Accreditation

This enduring material activity, CME Report: Working Together: Improving Early Diagnosis and Management of Alzheimer’s Disease in Primary Care, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 2.0 Prescribed credits by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 2.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

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