Memry Screening Site s PROGRAM HANDBOOK 866-232-8484 www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/
Table f Cntents Page 3 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 10 Page 12 Page 13 All Abut the Natinal Memry Screening Prgram - Abut the Alzheimer s Fundatin f America - Abut The Natinal Memry Screening Prgram - What are Memry Screenings? Hsting Cmmunity Memry Screenings Hw t Use the Database Hw t Advertise & Prmte Yur Event General Instructins fr Screeners - Befre the Event - During the Event General Infrmatin fr Screeners - What is Alzheimer s? What is Dementia? - Cnsent Frms - Setting up the Screening Area - Backgrund n the Screening Tls Frequently Asked Questins (and Suggested Answers) - Des this memry screening prvide a diagnsis? - Hw accurate are memry screenings? - What des the scre mean? - What are the next steps if the scre raises cncern? - What causes memry impairment? - Where can I g fr mre infrmatin and resurces? Fr Mre Infrmatin - AFA Cntact Infrmatin www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 2
All Abut the Natinal Memry Screening Prgram Abut the Alzheimer s Fundatin f America The Alzheimer s Fundatin f America (AFA) is a natinal nn-prfit rganizatin that unites mre than 2,800 member rganizatins frm cast-t-cast that are dedicated t meeting the educatinal, scial, emtinal and practical needs f individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses, and their caregivers and families. Under AFA's umbrella, these rganizatins cllabrate n educatin, resurces, best practices and advcacy all resulting in better care fr peple affected by the disease. AFA s services including a tll-free helpline staffed by licensed scial wrkers, educatinal cnferences and materials, prfessinal training, a free quarterly caregiver publicatin. Abut The Natinal Memry Screening Prgram The Natinal Memry Screening Prgram is ne f the highlights f AFA's nging natinal effrt t educate peple abut the benefits f early detectin f memry prblems. Lcal sites natinwide ffer free, cnfidential memry screenings t the public and distribute educatinal materials abut memry cncerns and successful aging. Sites can participate in this imprtant initiative by hsting cmmunity memry screenings n any date(s) f their chsing thrughut the year r by hsting screenings during Natinal Memry Screening Mnth (NMSM). Natinal Memry Screening Mnth was intrduced in 2003 as Natinal Memry Screening Day. Due t the increasing demand fr memry screenings and t accmmdate as many sites as pssible, starting in 2016, the entire mnth f Nvember will be dedicated t memry screenings. This event is held in cllabratin with lcal rganizatins and healthcare prfessinals each Nvember during Natinal Alzheimer s Disease Awareness Mnth. What are Memry Screenings? Memry screenings are part f a regular wellness check-up. The screening is nn-invasive, cnsists f a series f questins and tasks, and takes five t ten minutes t administer. All materials clearly emphasize that memry screenings are used as an indicatr f whether a persn might benefit frm an extensive medical exam, but that they are nt used t diagnse any illness and in n way replace an exam by a primary care physician r specialist. We encurage medical fllw-up, at the very least during annual dctr s visits, t ensure best mnitring f memry and health cncerns. www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 3
With this prgram, ur gals are t: Prvide free, cnfidential memry screenings t individuals with memry cncerns Encurage individuals with memry prblems t fllw up with their primary care physician r specialist fr a cmprehensive examinatin Prmte early detectin and interventin fr thse cncerned abut memry lss Educate the public abut Alzheimer s disease, dementia, and successful aging Eliminate the stigma assciated with Alzheimer s and related dementias Invlvement is simple: AFA prvides all the necessary tls at n cst t seamlessly and effectively carry ut the memry screenings. This kit includes: tips and instructins, memry screening tests, cnsent frms, and infrmatinal pamphlets. The majrity f materials are available nline. On request, Spanish materials can be prvided. The event prvides an pprtunity fr the participating rganizatin t raise awareness abut dementia and t educate the public abut successful aging and brain health. Participating sites are respnsible fr: Arranging the time and space fr the screenings Selecting a qualified healthcare prfessinal screener t administer the tests Ensuring that apprpriate staff are aware f the event and are ready t receive calls and questins frm the public abut it in advance f and n the day f the event Dwnlading, printing and distributing materials Publicizing the event lcally Emphasizing t participants that memry screening results are cnfidential and d nt represent a diagnsis Encuraging apprpriate participants thse with lw scres and thse wh cntinue t have cncerns t fllw up with a cmplete medical exam by their primary care physician r specialist t btain a prper diagnsis and treatment www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 4
Hsting Cmmunity Memry Screenings Single event screenings take place anytime thrughut the year n a single day (ex: health fair 10am-3pm). Year rund screenings r On-ging screenings can take place daily, weekly r mnthly. Fr example, sme sites chse t have screenings the First Thursday f Every Mnth, Every Wednesday frm 9 a.m. until 12 nn, Every Day by Appintment Only. It is entirely up t the site t decide what best fits their needs and resurces. Steps t set up yur screening event(s): 1. Decide lcatin, date and time fr the event(s) t take place. Ensure that yu have a private, quiet space fr the screenings 2. Lg nt the prtal, click the Add a New Memry Screening Lcatin buttn, and input Step 1 infrmatin under the Sites tab. Yu may request brchures in this tab as well. Chse whether r nt yu wuld like t have the event as a walk-in pen event r if yu wuld like t have participants call ahead f time t make an appintment. Specify this infrmatin in the prtal by checking the By Appintment Only bx, 3. Find screeners fr the event(s). First, see if smene in yur wn rganizatin is qualified t be a screener. If there is nt an individual in yur rganizatin qualified, take a lk at ur Hw t Find a Screener guide (lcated under the Materials buttn in the prtal). If yu are still having truble lcating a screener, feel free t call AFA at 866-232-8484. Ask the screener which screening tl they wuld like t use s yu can print the apprpriate screening tl befre the event Infrm the screener that there are mnthly memry screener training webinars that they can view. Plus there are training materials in the Materials sectin as well! 4. Get the wrd ut- Advertise yur event lcally! (See page 9) Advertise in yur lcal newspaper, n scial media, flyers arund yur twn etc. Send a message t AFA s Directr f Cmmunicatins Chris Schneider at cschneider@alzfdn.rg s AFA can pst yur screening infrmatin n AFA s scial media. 5. Befre the event ensure the fllwing belw: Print cpies f the screening tl that was selected t be used Print cpies f the cnsent frms Print cpies f the vluntary participant survey Print the participant departure card Make sure the screener has familiarized themselves with the screening materials and feels cmfrtable cnducting the screenings 6. Keep track f the number f peple screened and let AFA knw hw the event(s) turned ut. Yu can input yur event numbers n the prtal by clicking n the Submit Screening Event Numbers buttn. We lve t receive pictures, newspaper clippings, and hear feedback! www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 5
Using the NMSP Prtal T lgin, g t https://alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/screening-site-prtal/and enter the email address/username and passwrd yu used when registering. Nte: If yu frgt yur lg in infrmatin, call AFA at 866-232-8484. Once inside the prtal yu'll want t d the fllwing: Step 1 Click n Prfile frm the right navigatin bar and verify that yur prfile infrmatin is crrect. Step 2- Register yur site. Click n Add a New Memry Screening Lcatin buttn n the prtal s main page. Step 3 Ppulate the fields with the Screening Site infrmatin including whether the site is an On-ging site r a Single Day event, if the event is By Appintment Only, and quantity f educatinal materials wanted. Step 4 Click the Submit buttn at the bttm f the page. Yur screening site infrmatin will nw be visible n AFA s website (https://alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/find-a-site/) Yu'll als be able t view and dwnlad AFA Materials, which include educatinal materials, PR and Marketing tls, and the screening tls. T access the AFA Materials- Click n the Materials buttn. Here yu will be able t click n, view, and dwnlad any f the necessary materials as well as additinal materials yu may want t use during yur screening event. www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 6
Getting the Wrd Out: Marketing Tips Althugh AFA des list screening sites infrmatin n the website, https://alzfdn.rg/memryscreening/find-a-site/, it is the respnsibility f the screening site and/r hsting rganizatin t advertise their screening event lcally. AFA prvides sites with a publicity checklist t help sites rganize their marketing. Als in the Materials tab in the database, there are templates fr PSAs, e-blasts, scial media psts, and press releases. Example f a scial media pst t advertise memry screenings: Early memry screenings can be helpful! Memry screenings are FREE and take apprximately 10 minutes. Memry screenings are a significant first step tward finding ut if a persn may have a memry prblem. Early diagnsis f Alzheimer s disease can imprve quality f life fr thse individuals with the disease as well as their families and caregivers. Nt all memry prblems are caused by Alzheimer s and sme memry prblems can be readily treated! Memry screenings can als be beneficial t thse wh believe they are at risk due t a family histry f Alzheimer's disease r a related illness. Are yu interested in having a memry screening? _(ORGANIZATION)_ is hsting FREE memry screenings as part f AFA s Natinal Memry Screening Prgram n _(DATE)_ frm _(TIME)_ at _(LOCATION)_. www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 7
A Brief Guide fr Screeners AFA ffers free, mnthly training webinars fr qualified healthcare prfessinals t becme trained memry screeners. Additinally, there is a Screener Training PwerPint available n the NMSP database under the Materials tab. Screeners can feel free t call AFA at 866-232-8484 at any time with questins abut the screening prcess. www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 8
Befre the Event: General Instructins fr Screeners Review all instructins, frms, guidelines and prcedures related t the screenings. Thrughly review the selected memry screening tl. Practice the cmplete screening prcess until yu are cmfrtable. Make cpies f the Participant Cnsent Frm and Participant Departure Card, as well as the Vluntary Participant Survey and any ther materials yu want t distribute. Prir t cpying, fill in all generic fields. Review the FAQs and be prepared t answer questins. During the Event: Clearly infrm the participant that the results are cnfidential and are nt a diagnsis and that they shuld cnsult with their primary care physician r specialist t discuss any cncerns. Instruct each individual t prvide cnsent; use the frm entitled Participant Cnsent Frm. Explain t participants that they are agreeing that they fully understand the purpse f memry screenings, they have a right t cnfidentiality, and they cnsent t participate. Ensure that the participant and the screener are the nly individuals in the screening area befre administering the test. Fllw the instructins fr each specific tl. Fr example, unless specified in a particular screening tl, d nt prvide hints r cues t assist a participant during the screening. A participant may feel embarrassed, frustrated r saddened by his r her perfrmance. Yu shuld remain psitive and ffer encuragement as needed. Be patient, kind and supprtive. Advise the participant f his r her scre and its meaning. Emphasize that the screening is nt a diagnsis f any kind. Encurage all participants t pursue regular medical evaluatins by their primary care physician r specialist. Ask participants if they have any questins. Offer supprt if they are cncerned. Encurage individuals, where apprpriate, t seek further supprt frm yur rganizatin r ther lcal resurces, r t call AFA s tll-free helpline: 866-232-8484. Fill in the Participant Departure Card and give t the participant. Keep cnsent frms and any ther paperwrk in a secure place at yur lcatin. Maintain the cnfidentiality f scres. www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 9
Infrmatin fr Screeners Mre Infrmatin abut Dementia: Dementia is caused by damage t brain cells. This damage interferes with the ability f brain cells t cmmunicate with each ther. When brain cells cannt cmmunicate nrmally, thinking, behavir and feelings can be affected. Dementia is a general term that describes a grup f symptms such as: Lss f memry, judgment, and language. Dementia is a permanent and prgressive disease. What is Alzheimer s? It is a neurlgical disrder capable f severely impacting mental and physical functining. Alzheimer s is the mst cmmn frm f dementia, a grup f disrders that impairs mental functining. Like dementia, it is prgressive and irreversible. The Imprtance f Early Detectin: Imprves quality f life Empwers individuals t learn mre abut the disease Allws pprtunity t seek cunseling and ther scial services supprt Enables individuals t access treatments earlier Prvides individuals time and capacity t address legal, medical and financial issues Cnsent Frms: Only the screener shuld administer and explain the Participant Cnsent Frm t the participant The cnsent frm shws agreement f the fllwing: full understanding f the memry screening purpse right t cnfidentiality cnsent t participate in the memry screening Setting Up the Screening Area: Privacy is imprtant - use dividers/curtains Ensure cnfidentiality is maintained All infrmatin must be stred apprpriately www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 10
Backgrund n Screening Tests: The Alzheimer s Fundatin f America s Memry Screening Advisry Bard, a panel f distinguished researchers in the field f dementia testing, has identified fur tests that meet the fllwing accepted criteria fr use as a screening instrument: BAS (Brief Alzheimer s Screening)- available nline GPCOG (General Practitiner Assessment f Cgnitin) Mini-Cg- available nline MIS (Memry Impairment Screen) These fur tests meet the MSAB accepted criteria f being effective, easy t administer, and validated by research. Screening tls are basic and d nt prvide a diagnsis, and all results shuld be discussed with primary physician r specialist. Nte: AFA des nt specify which screening tests must be used as part f the Natinal Memry Screening Prgram nr are yu required t use ne f these AFA is making them available because they meet the criteria nted abve Further instructin n each screening tl can be fund in the Materials tab n the database as well as in the training vide. Ntes: www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 11
Frequently Asked Questins Memry screenings may raise several questins frm individuals underging the screening as well as frm accmpanying caregivers, family members, friends, r even ther healthcare prfessinals. This sheet ffers sme general suggestins n handling cmmnly asked questins and cncerns. Des this memry screening prvide a diagnsis? Memry screenings are preliminary and basic. Emphasize t participants and any accmpanying parties that this is nly a screening, nt a diagnsis. A cmprehensive assessment by their primary care physician r specialist is necessary t identify the cause f memry prblems. Hw are memry screenings useful? Memry screenings are helpful in detecting significant memry impairment, but they are nt sensitive enugh t detect minr prblems r diagnse an illness. If a participant s scre n the screening indicates that there may be a memry prblem, explain that additinal assessment tls such as a cmplete medical histry, a physical exam, neurpsychlgical tests, lab tests and brain imaging scans may be used by a physician t prvide an accurate diagnsis. Hw are scres interpreted? Belw threshld scres suggest the need fr further assessment. It is imprtant t encurage bth participants whse scres are belw the nrmal range and participants with nrmal scres but wh still have cncerns t have a fllw-up cnsultatin with their primary care physician r specialist. What shuld the next steps be? Participants with belw nrmal scres and/r nging cncerns shuld pursue a cmplete medical examinatin with their primary care physician r specialist. With the permissin f the participant, suggest t accmpanying family members that they shuld pursue further evaluatin. All participants shuld receive a cmpleted cpy f the Participant Departure Packet and be encuraged t incrprate memry screenings int their regular wellness check-ups. Participants with questins r cncerns abut this prcess shuld call 866-232-8484 t talk with a licensed scial wrker. What causes memry impairment? Participants shuld schedule an appintment with their primary care physician r specialist t address any questins r cncerns abut memry impairment. A number f prblems can cause memry impairment. Sme memry prblems can be readily treated, such as thse caused by vitamin deficiency r thyrid prblems. Other memry prblems might result frm causes that currently are nt reversible. Where can I g fr mre infrmatin and resurces? The Alzheimer s Fundatin f America (AFA) has licensed scial wrkers t address any additinal questins r cncerns via a tll-free helpline: 866-232-8484. Encurage participants t visit ur websites: www.natinalmemryscreening.rg and www.alzpreventin.rg. www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 12
Fr Mre Infrmatin: Natinal Memry Screening Prgram Website https://alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ https://alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/screening-site-prtal/ Alzheimer s Fundatin f America Websites www.alzfdn.rg www.alzpreventin.rg Phne Numbers 866-232-8484 (Tll-free) 646-638-1546 (Fax) Mailing Address 322 Eighth Ave, 7 th Flr New Yrk, NY 10001 www.alzfdn.rg/memry-screening/ 13