295 Don’t forget about memory: prevalence of cognitive impairment in older adults attending the integrated day hospital

Abstract

Abstract Background Cognitive impairment and dementia are estimated to affect 1 in 5 adults over 80 years (TILDA 2023) which impacts on participation in complex activities eg. Drving, managing finances, complex decision making. The importance of addressing these issues is to the fore with the enactment of the Assisted Decision Making Act. This review aims to provide local context to design and implementation of assessment and intervention processes for Subjective Cognitive Impairment (SCI), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia in older adults attending the Integrated Day Hospital (IDH). Methods A retrospective analysis of health care records was undertaken on patients attending the IDH from January to May 2023. Inclusion criteria were adults over 70 years, recent history of falls or deterioration in functional or cognitive status. Evidence regarding SCI was gathered via patients’ response to specific question on comprehensive geriatric assessment. Evidence of MCI and dementia was gathered via cognitive screening scores. Results Preliminary results indicate a cohort of 150 patients. Preliminary analysis of cognitive screening scores reflect prevalence of MCI at 16% and dementia at 36% of older adults attending the IDH. Family-carer reported impairment is more likely to correlate to an impaired range score on testing, in comparison with self-reported impairment. 50% of older adults report SCI, with 70% of family carers reporting SCI in the same cohort. There is a prevalence of cognitive impairment in older adults presenting for falls and frailty. Final findings will be available for the purpose of this poster presentation. Conclusion Cognitive impairment in older adults is evidenced across a range of presentations including falls and frailty. This review highlights the need to explore the holistic needs of older adults to identify presence of SCI, MCI and dementia. Subsequently there is a need to provide person centred, co-ordinated and integrated interventions tailored to the needs of the older adults.