Abstract

As the population ages, the prevalence of cognitive impairment increases (Hilsabeck et al., 2024). There are about 10 million new cases reported annually, and over 55 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, a number projected to increase to 78 million by 2030 (WHO, 2023). Dementia is a growing public health concern that is often underdiagnosed in primary care, leading to missed opportunities for early intervention, care coordination, and patient support. Early detection of dementia is crucial for timely intervention, effective care planning, and enhanced patient outcomes. Early identification of cognitive impairment is critical in improving patient outcomes, enhancing quality of life, and enabling timely intervention and care planning for individuals at risk of dementia. The project aimed to utilize the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as a standardized cognitive screening tool for adults aged 55 and older in a primary care outpatient clinic to screen patients for cognitive impairment and refer them for further evaluation. Results demonstrated a significant increase in the rate of cognitive screenings, improved provider confidence in identifying early cognitive decline, and enhanced referral patterns to specialists for further evaluation. The findings support that the MoCA is a feasible and effective tool for routine cognitive screening in primary care settings. Ongoing use of standardized screening can aid in early recognition of dementia, facilitate timely intervention, and improve outcomes.

Author Details

Nadege Djeukui, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, CCRN

Sigma Membership

Non-member

Type

DNP Capstone Project

Format Type

Text-based Document

Study Design/Type

Quality Improvement

Research Approach

Quantitative Research

Keywords:

Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MOCA, Screening Tools, Dementia, Alzheimer's Disease, Memory Loss

Advisor

Shirlean Pelham-Bennett

Degree

DNP

Degree Grantor

Purdue University Global

Degree Year

2025

Rights Holder

All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.

Review Type

None: Degree-based Submission

Acquisition

Proxy-submission

Full Text of Presentation

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