{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: An environmental scan of tools that help individuals living with mild cognitive impairment or neurocognitive disorders (NCD) achieve their preferred health or well-being.
{Author}: Grande SW;Kotzbauer G;Hunt S;Tan KY;Yagnik S;Ellenbogen M;Pederson J;Hager A;Hoppe H;Sutton L;Villarejo-Galende A;Epperly M;
{Journal}: Gerontologist
{Volume}: 0
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024 Jun 12
{Factor}: 5.422
{DOI}: 10.1093/geront/gnae071
{Abstract}: <B>OBJECTIVE: </B>Older adults experiencing neurocognitive disease (NCD) contend with complex care often characterized by high emotional strain. Mitigating complex care with decision support tools can clarify options. When used in conjunction with the practice of Shared Decision Making (SDM) these tools can improve satisfaction and confidence in treatment. Use of these tools for cognitive health has increased but more is needed to understand how these tools incorporate social needs into treatment plans.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>We conducted an environmental scan using a MEDLINE informed search strategy and feedback from an expert steering committee to characterize current tools and approaches for engaging older adults experiencing NCD. We assessed their application and development, incorporation of social determinants, goals or preferences, and inclusion of caregivers in their design.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>We identified eleven articles, seven of which show that SDM helps guide tool development and that all tools center on clinical decision making. Types of tools varied by clinical site and those differences reflected patient need. A collective value across tools was their use to forge meaningful conversations. No tool appeared designed with the explicit goal to elicit patient social needs or incorporate non-clinical strategies into treatment plans.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>Several challenges and opportunities that centered on strategies to engage patients in the design and testing of tools that support conversations with clinicians about cognitive health. Future work should focus on building and testing adaptable tools that support patient and family social care needs beyond clinical care settings.