Practical Screening Approaches for Identifying Participants With Dementia for Research in Nursing Home Studies

Strategic Insights -

Researchers at the University of Maryland have developed practical screening approaches for identifying participants with dementia for research in nursing home studies. The study involved a descriptive analysis of screening data from a pain clinical practice guideline in nursing homes, with financial support from the NIH National Institute on Aging (NIA). The research found that a single direct assessment completed by the participant can be used to identify cognitive impairment, and the practicality of this approach was supported.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study used a descriptive approach to test the measurement model of cognition in 111 individuals.
  • The model fit the data, but two direct resident assessments indicated that 10% and 21% of participants had no dementia based on the Brief Interview for Mental Status and Pizza Test, respectively.
  • All informant-based measures indicated that participants had dementia with the exception of one individual based on the AD8.
  • The research suggested that a single direct assessment completed by the participant can be used to identify cognitive impairment.
  • The practicality of this approach was supported, and the study concluded that it can be a useful tool for identifying participants with dementia for research in nursing homes.

Statistics:

  • 111 individuals were included in the study
  • 10% of participants had no dementia based on the Brief Interview for Mental Status
  • 21% of participants had no dementia based on the Pizza Test
  • The model fit the data
  • Only one individual had no dementia based on the AD8

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Study Findings on Dementia Are Outlined in Reports from University of Maryland (Practical Screening Approaches for Identifying Participants With Dementia for Research In Nursing Home Studies). Mental Health Weekly Digest. October 20, 2025; p 1207
  • Research in Gerontological Nursing. Practical Screening Approaches for Identifying Participants With Dementia for Research In Nursing Home Studies. 2025
  • Barara Resnick, University of Maryland, School of Nursing, 655 West Lombard St, Baltimore, MD 21201, United States