In completion of this case study, learners will be able to use a systematic approach to assess memory impairment in older adults, formulate differential diagnosis for cognitive disorders of older adults, and design a management plan for cognitively impaired geriatric patients that considers the neuropathology, dementia complexity with comorbidities, and psycho-social planning needs.

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing at New York University College of Nursing (HIGN), with generous funding from the John A. Hartford Foundation, developed these case studies to facilitate the transition to Adult-Gerontology APRN education as described in The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification and Education. One of the major goals of this project is to provide Primary and Acute Care Adult NP faculty, Adult CNS faculty, and other faculty who prepare NPs or CNSs to care for older adults, (e.g. FNPs, WHNPs, Women’s Health CNSs), with multiple resources and strategies to assist them in making this transition.