The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has released a new edition of its KAER Toolkit for Brain Health in an online format. The toolkit is intended to support primary care teams in implementing a comprehensive approach to initiating conversations about brain health, detecting and diagnosing dementia, and providing individuals with community-based supports.
Early identification of cognitive changes and interventions including connecting individuals with appropriate supports and services can be essential for delaying cognitive and functional decline.
"Recent scientific advances establish that many strategies can help preserve brain health and that having early conversations and making specific plans should start early as part of routine health care to optimize brain health," said Bonnie Burman, ScD, a member of the expert advisory panel for the toolkit and president of the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health. "Evidence demonstrates that there are specific actions that can help preserve brain health. Further, the recent approval of disease-modifying therapies offers new hope for preserving cognition."
The KAER Toolkit for Brain Health is focused on a framework first introduced in a 2015 report from the GSA Workgroup on Cognitive Impairment Detection and Earlier Diagnosis. The acronym is derived from a four-step process:
- Kickstart the brain health conversation
- Assess for cognitive impairment
- Evaluate for dementia
- Refer for community resources
GSA first published the KAER toolkit addressing brain health in 2017 and has continued to update it to accommodate changes to clinical evidence and the availability of new educational and clinical resources. To develop the new edition, GSA conducted a rigorous review of current and evidence-based tools and resources and engaged an expert advisory panel comprised of neurologists, nurses, social workers, geriatricians, and other brain health experts to review and contribute to the toolkit.
This new edition has been adapted for web-based use while preserving the key approaches for implementing the KAER framework. All content and design updates are made to enhance the toolkit's usefulness for primary care teams, health professional educators and students, and others. It includes practical approaches, educational resources, and validated clinical tools that teams can integrate into their clinical workflow.
In addition to adapting the toolkit to a more user-friendly format, other updates in this version of the toolkit include expanded information about strategies to prevent or delay cognitive decline and additional resources to meet the needs of all individuals including those from underrepresented, disproportionately affected, and marginalized communities.
In 2022, GSA also applied the KAER framework to the chronic disease of obesity and published The Gerontological Society of America KAER Toolkit for the Management of Obesity in Older Adults. This toolkit is intended to support primary care teams who seek to implement a comprehensive approach to help older adults with overweight and obesity recognize and care for their condition.
Support for the KAER Toolkit for Brain Health is provided by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka.
