Role of nurses in addressing modifiable risk factors for early Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment

Abstract

A multidisciplinary advisory group of health professionals involved in dementia care assessed the current evidence base regarding modifiable risk factors (MRFs) for early Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment. Based on evidence from the published literature and clinical experience, MRFs in four areas were identified where there is evidence to support interventions that may help delay cognitive decline or reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease: medical (eg cardiovascular risk factors), psychosocial (eg depression, anxiety, social isolation), lifestyle (eg lack of physical activity, smoking) and nutrition (eg poor diet, lack of micronutrients). Practical guidance on how health professionals, but in particular nurses, may actively seek to address these MRFs in clinical practice was also developed. Nurses are at the forefront of patient care and, as such, are ideally placed to offer advice to patients that may proactively help mitigate the risks of cognitive decline and the development of Alzheimer's disease.

Exploring what progress is being made in the development of health promotion material for vascular dementia: A systematic review of the evidence

“…6 A common theme in the literature demonstrates that if the modifiable risk factors for vascular change are addressed through improving health outcomes, health promotion, and health education, then there is an opportunity to influence vascular risk and ultimately reduce the potential damaging impact of vascular disease and illness. 6,28,29 Focusing on behavior change to reduce the impact of modifiable risk factors has the potential to reduce the incidence of vascular disease in the population and to potentially improve health outcomes. 30 Therefore, health-promoting activity should aim not only to be inclusive and person centered, 21 but should also encompass prevention strategies that are geared towards the specific level of vascular support required by the individual.…”

“…and Price and Keady6,56 established that there is a lack of targeted health-promoting literature and resources for individuals with vascular cognitive impairment and especially for those at the latter end of the continuum who have been diagnosed with a vascular dementia. In the last decade more evidence has emerged to help better understand the modifiable risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease 28,29,57,58. However, there has been a lack of evidence that supports the development of specific healthpromoting interventions for these populations.A better understanding of factors that contribute to the cognitive decline of people experiencing cardiovascular disease has developed over the last decade and there is a wider recognition that health promotion and preventative activity has the potential to reduce the risk of dementia and impaired brain health.…”

The role of assessment in competence-based gerontological advanced practice nursing

“…If no treatments can interrupt the neurodegenerative process of ADRD, reducing everyone's risk and screening vulnerable people at the individual and community level are the main evidence-based features that support gerontological advanced nursing practices in promoting brain health and impacting aging trajectories toward a high quality of life and well-being (28) .…”

El papel de la evaluación en la enfermería de práctica avanzada gerontológica basada en competencias

“…En caso de que ningún tratamiento pueda interrumpir el proceso neurodegenerativo de EADR, reducir el riesgo para todos y evaluar a las personas vulnerables son las principales características basadas en la evidencia que respaldan las prácticas avanzadas de enfermería gerontológica para promover la salud cerebral e impactar las trayectorias de envejecimiento hacia una mejor calidad de vida y bienestar (28) .…”