Director Cognition in Primary Care Program University of Washington Seattle, Washington
Participants should be aware of the following financial/non-financial relationships: . Barak Gaster, MD, FACP: Disclosure information not submitted.
Dementia is one of the most complex disease to manage in primary care, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing. Dr. Barak Gaster is a primary care provider (PCP) and dementia expert. He is the director of the Cognition in Primary Care Program, a program whose mission is to provide PCPs with practical and efficient tools to identify cognitive impairment and manage it along the stages of the disease. This session will cover: 1) a practical checklist of interventions that primary care can make to maintain brain function in patients starting to develop cognitive impairment, 2) key tips to managing agitation which so often accompanies moderate dementia, and 3) pearls for helping PCPs navigate difficult conversations with patients and families about advance care planning and goals of care, conversations which have real potential to improve the quality of care we give to patients with dementia.
Learning Objectives:
Intervene to maintain brain health in patients with cognitive impairment
Manage behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia
Lead discussions about advance care planning for dementia