Question

Need a Geriatric Write-ups on 10 minute Geriatric Screen and Mini Cog. A little case scenario and patient education.

Answer 1

A mini-cog is a cognitive tool for effective assessment of cognitive impairment in older adults. It takes only ten minutes to assess geriatric patients. It consists of dementia, eyes, ears, physical performance, Incontinence, and Nutrition. It consists of re-calling test and drawing of a clock test. The examiner will tell three new unrelated words and ask the person to repeat. Then he told the patient, to draw a clock on a blank sheet and to mark particular timing. Again the examiner told to repeat the words. Based on this the examiner can conclude the level of cognitive function.

Case Scenario:

Mr. John is an 88-year-old patient whose son describes that he has so much forgetfulness in the past days. The patient has been conducted for Mini cog screening for neurological function and the following findings observed.

• Orientation to month, date, day, time, year. - The patient is orient to year but unable to orient to day and time.
• Recall of 16 pictures. - The patient can able to recall only 2 or 3 pictures.
• Fluency of animal naming. - The patient murmurs the naming of animals.
• Recall of 3 items - The patient able to recall only one item.
• Clock drawing - Patient drew abnormally.

The above findings show that the patient is positive for Alzheimer's disease.

Patient Education:

• It is a degenerative disorder which is one of the causes of dementia.
• Patient has to be treated for both physically and mentally.
• Provide a calm and comfortable environment to manage the behavioral changes.
• Regular exercise and physical activity help to improve their cognitive function.
• The caregiver should support in the daily activities.