Brain Health and Dementia

The topic of brain health as an important aspect of overall health should be addressed with individuals across the lifespan. Raising the topic of brain health will help normalize attention to it, encourage individuals to be more aware of changes to their cognition or other brain health–related changes, and create an environment where individuals may feel more comfortable sharing their concerns.

Many people are reluctant to express such concerns because of fear and stigma often associated with dementia or a lack of understanding of normal age-related changes versus changes that may indicate dementia. Additionally, all too often people are unaware of proactive steps that they can take to promote their brain health. It is vital that healthcare teams address brain health promotion across the lifespan as up to 40% of dementia cases can be attributed to modifiable behaviors.

GSA KAER Toolkit for Brain Health

This toolkit provides practical approaches, educational resources, and validated clinical tools to help primary care teams implement the KAER framework as part of their efforts to support brain health and timely detection of and responses to cognitive impairment. The contents and selection of tools were developed with primary care teams as the principal audience. Others, including educators and students in disciplines such as medicine, nursing, and social work, may also find its contents useful. GSA recognizes that health care professionals outside the primary care setting also play a valuable role in detecting cognitive impairment.

The GSA KAER framework has four steps, each intended to improve health‐related outcomes and well‐being for people living with dementia and their families. The four steps—Kickstart, Assess, Evaluate, and Refer (KAER)—are designed to achieve greater awareness of cognition and brain health in older adults (Kickstart), increase detection of cognitive impairment (Assess), initiate earlier diagnostic evaluation (Evaluate), and make referrals for educational and supportive community services for people with dementia (Refer).

Researchers and clinicians continue to develop new approaches and tools to address cognition and brain health, including those that meet the needs of diverse and underserved communities. Informed by an Expert Advisory Panel, GSA makes ongoing enhancements to the KAER Toolkit and develops new resources to address emerging topics around brain health and dementia.

The GSA KAER Toolkit for Brain Health and numerous other resources addressing Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, brain health, and a variety of symptoms associated with neurological conditions, including pseudobulbar affect and dementia-related psychosis, are freely available on GSA Enrich to support improved care for older adults across the care continuum. Additionally, GSA members can engage in the GSA Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementia Interest Group as well as a variety of related interest groups.

Additional Information on this important topic is available from:

Lisa McGuire, Vice President, Strategic Alliances & Practice Innovation

lmcguire@geron.org | 202-587-5870

Jen Pettis, Director of Strategic Alliances

jpettis@geron.org | 202-587-2822

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