The Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Clinical Guidelines
New Information on Alzheimer’s Treatment
Medicare billing guidelines for Cognitive Assessment and Care Plan. Medicare requires 10 steps to bill for CPT code 9943. They can be accomplished in a series of visits. Learn tips for most effective and efficient patient care and improved RVU reimbursement.
Disease Modifying Medications: A webinar on the risks, benefits and use of monoclonal antibodies live-streamed on October 19, 2023, is now available via the CME links below. Here is the slide deck from this presentation.
How Hearing and Vision Loss Increase Risk for Dementia
Lifestyle Interventions and Cognitive Decline
Alzheimer’s Biomarkers Show Tantalizing Hint at Utility for Tracking Prevention
Few Early Alzheimer’s Patients Qualify for Lecanemab. Published in MedPage Today August 16, 2023.
Preventable Risk Factors: Educating your patients. Read this article from the New York Times published July 5, 2022.
The Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable and Guidelines
Primary care physicians and providers can screen and evaluate for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias with more confidence and ease, and access tools to manage behavioral issues. The Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable, a group of neurologists, psychiatrists, geriatricians, and geriatric psychologists, have been working since 2015 to develop tools to assist the primary care providers who will care for the vast majority of patients experiencing cognitive decline, as well as assist their family members and caregivers.
The Alzheimer’s Project is a regional initiative established by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors to address the toll of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias on families, communities and our healthcare systems. More information on the entire Alzheimer’s Project can be found on the County website.
While the majority of patients living with dementia can be effectively managed by primary care providers, there are cases that may need further evaluation beyond the scope the primary care provider is comfortable, and appropriate referrals are then recommended. Further, should the practitioner not be comfortable with the evaluation, disclosure or disease management of a particular patient, referral to a specialist is recommended.
Guidelines Fourth Edition (2024) Now Available!
The Physician Guidelines Fourth Edition (June 2024) booklet includes revised screening and evaluation instruments recommendations, background research and references, best practices algorithms, and expanded resource tools for caregivers. The new edition expands information on caring for caregivers as well as assessing caregiver stress, provides updated community resources, and discusses FDA approved disease modifying medications. The Guidelines booklet is comprehensive, and providers are encouraged to download/print/use those pages most relevant to their practice.
Physician/Provider Education
Grand Rounds, virtual and on-site education, and conferences are offered throughout the year to inform primary care providers and their staff on best practices and new resources. To schedule a presentation for your health system or practice, contact .
Presentations are geared toward your specific clinical group. Topics may include:
- Screening and Evaluation of Cognitive Decline
- Updates in Research
- Genetics, Prevalence and Impact of ADRD
- Behavioral Management of ADRD
- Pharmacological Management of Behavioral Issues
- Life Planning through the Stages of Dementia
- Educating, Assessing & Supporting Caregivers
Healthcare workers will also benefit from free online trainings through our series posted on YouTube.
Webinars and content are also available through our partnership with Dementia Care Aware, a state-wide collaborative effort of universities. Click here for a listing of other Continuing Education programs.
CME On-Demand Webinars
Champions for Health has partnered with The Doctors Company to offer a series of on-demand courses created by the Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable. The courses are available free of charge and are approved for AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM as well as ANCC credit for advance practice nurse practitioners and physician assistants/associates. The courses are meant to act as training tools that can be taken at your own convenience in approximately 15-minute segments. You are encouraged to revisit as needed. Courses are available to all interested healthcare professionals; check with your specific professional continuing education guidelines for eligibility to earn credits. Courses include:
- Screening for Dementia
- Evaluation and Diagnosis
- Addressing & Managing Behavioral and Environmental Signs and Symptoms
- Care Management through the Stages, Communications & Resources
- Pharmacotherapy for Dementia
- Pharmacological Management of Behavioral & Psychological Symptoms
- Q&A: What Physicians Ask About Diagnosing and Treating Dementia
- Disease Modifying Monoclonal Antibody Therapies: Controversy & Patient Communications panel discussion
AlzDxRx to be Discontinued
The AlzDxRx mobile application will be discontinued as health systems prefer that tracking of screening, evaluation and diagnosis be conducted and documented on desktop electronic medical record systems.
For any questions, please contact
Health Professionals: RNs, NPs, PAs, & MAs
Learning to assist with screening and evaluation of individuals with cognitive issues will greatly improve patient care and the efficiency of your clinical site. The Clinical Roundtable encourages nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical assistants to become knowledgeable of the 10 Warning signs of dementia, the algorithm for screening, and proficient in conducting a MiniCog screening.
A new series of online videos are specifically designed for non-physician healthcare providers and healthcare workers: 
Starting the Conversation on Memory Impairment
An annual Medicare Wellness Visit is often the time that cognitive impairment can be noticed by the provider, or the patient or family member may mention concerns. See the updated 2024 Guidelines for Starting the Conversation, educating patients on brain health and aging, and the use of listening tools.
New Exam Room Poster to Encourage Conversation on Cognitive Decline
Download and print these 8.5 x 11 posters for your exam rooms or waiting rooms to encourage patients and family members to consider symptoms and initiate a conversation with physicians and staff.
Posters available in
Clinical Trials
Providers are encouraged to discuss clinical trials with patients during early stage disease. In San Diego County, clinical trials are currently being conducted at:
- Excell Research
- The Neurology Center
- Pacific Research Network
- Sharp Neurocognitive Research Center
- UC San Diego Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
Providers can also find information at clinicaltrials.gov
Screening for Cognitive Impairment
Screening may be incorporated into the annual health assessment for older individuals, and a screening may require about 10 minutes. The Clinical Roundtable recommends the use of the MiniCog as a quick screening tool, and the AD8 to assess caregiver observations of the patient’s behaviors. Should these assessments identify cognitive impairment, a more thorough evaluation appointment would be appropriate. Trained healthcare staff can conduct these instruments to facilitate the clinical visit.
Evaluation and Diagnosis
A thorough evaluation of cognitive issues is more detailed and time consuming than a screening, and clinicians performing an evaluation should have a thorough knowledge of cognitive disorders and be comfortable disclosing a diagnosis. An evaluation can be initiated by a trained RN, PA or other staff to conduct instruments with the patient and/or caregiver. An evaluation appointment may take 45 minutes. See the updated 2024 Guidelines for full descriptions and links to the right for the step-by-step algorithm and recommended instruments.
Disease Management Through the Stages
Dementia is disease with a course of four to 20 years, and caregivers will need a variety of supports at different times. Both behavioral/environmental and pharmacologic interventions may be needed over the course of the disease. Tools listed at right assist physicians to assess behavioral issues. Read the 2024 Guidelines for information on disease progression, issues to discuss along the journey, and end of life decision making.
Resources for Caregivers
Assisting caregivers through the disease process may be the most important part of a physician’s care of a patient, and can take considerable time for the provider and office staff. Click on this page to see a number of patient and caregiver focused handouts you can attach to After Visit Summaries. Make sure to include the handout with the full range of San Diego County dementia-specific resources. The CDC also has a number of resources on supporting caregivers.
Funding for the Alzheimer’s Project Clinical Roundtable is provided by:
