Detecting dementia among older, ethnically diverse residents of rural subsidized housing.
Rural, ethnically diverse residents face at least twice the risk of Alzheimer's disease than urban residents. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension which increase dementia risk are more prevalent in rural areas with less access to specialty providers. A home-based approach for increasing dementia detection and treatment rates was tested among rural residents of government-assisted independent living facilities (N = 139; 78% non-White, and 70% with health literacy below 5th grade). Of 28 residents identified at risk during cognitive screening, 25 agreed to further in-depth assessment by adult gerontological nurse practitioners (AGNP). Fifteen of 25 (60%) completing consequent primary provider referrals were diagnosed with dementia and receiving new care (statistically significant; [χ2(1) = 76.67, p < .001, Phi = 0.743]). Home-based dementia management through a community engagement approach can help to meet the Healthy People 2030 goals of earlier detection and treatment and reduce the length of costly institutionalizations.
['Wiese|Lisa Kirk|LK|', 'Williams|Christine L|CL|', 'Hain|Debra|D|', 'Newman|David|D|', 'Houston|Christina P|CP|', 'Kaack|Carolina|C|', 'Galvin|James E|JE|']
D000544:Alzheimer Disease D003920:Diabetes Mellitus D006801:Humans D008403:Mass Screening D011638:Public Housing D012424:Rural Population
Rural Subsidized Housing Dementia detection AGNP Ethnically diverse older adults