Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD)

Practical resources for family physicians to engage patients on brain health

Family physicians occupy a crucial position in brain health. By caring for patients across the life span you are well placed to educate individuals about protecting cognitive function, identify risk factors early and guide patients and families through prevention, early screening, diagnosis and treatment. As the evidence around Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) continues to evolve, you need practical tools that support effective conversations and integrate cognitive care into everyday practice.

Tools to navigate the growing demands of cognitive care

The AAFP has developed a collection of brain health resources to support family physicians and their care teams. These materials are designed to:

  • Strengthen confidence in ADRD prevention and early detection

  • Clarify emerging diagnostics and scope of practice

  • Help physicians communicate clearly with patients and caregivers

Many of these resources also support health literacy by translating complex evidence—such as risk factors linked to cognitive decline—into accessible information that clinicians can use in patient conversations.

These resources also emphasize continuity of care and the connection between brain health and overall health, including cardiorenal metabolic conditions. From preventive care discussions in a 15-minute visit to guidance for patients and caregivers navigating cognitive decline, the tools below help clinicians incorporate brain health into routine practice while equipping patients to take an active role in protecting their cognitive well-being.

6 tips for talking about brain health across the lifespan

Conversation guides

A factsheet that describes preventing and caring for chronic conditions with ADRD

Chronic conditions

Evidence shows that addressing key modifiable risk factors—many of which are shared across chronic conditions—can reduce cases of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) at the population level.

Use this fact sheet to talk to your patients about preventing or managing chronic conditions, making the connection to ADRD by highlighting how actions that address shared risk factors can also support long-term brain health.

Read the full guide.
A pdf that gives information about ADRD (Dementia) and chronic conditions.

Screening treatment

Your patients may not know that dementia is not an inevitable part of aging. Use this conversation guide to help your patients develop habits for maintaining good cognitive health by adding ADRD prevention to the conversations you’re already having about other conditions. For example, it could be as simple and clear as saying, “Here’s what you can do to reduce your chances of having a heart attack or stroke or developing dementia.”

Read the full guide
The patient conversation guide about risk reduction for dementia and ARDR.

Risk reduction

The earlier your patients adopt healthy habits to reduce ADRD risk, the greater the potential cumulative effect on their long-term brain health. Use this conversation guide to talk with your patients about their risk of developing ADRD before they have concerns, when they still have time to make impactful changes. Address key risk factors and discuss preventive measures at every visit—from back-to-school checkups to Medicare annual wellness visits.

Read the full guide

Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias screening-to-care pathway

An infographic that gives over the pathway to care with dementia.
An infographic that describes the prevention tips to protect your brain.

Podcasts

Primary Care and Cognitive Concerns: Screening, Diagnosis, and Support

Host Michael Monroe interviews Dr. Brianna Wynne, a board-certified geriatric medicine physician, about how family physicians can support prevention, screening, and early detection of cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease.

Brain Health and Chronic Conditions: Lifelong Connections

In this episode of ‘Inside Family Medicine’, we hear from Dr. Ariel Cole, a family and geriatric medicine physician and fellowship/residency leader at AdventHealth Orlando, about the family physician’s role in cognitive aging, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Dr. Cole describes her experience caring for patients across the cognitive decline spectrum and emphasizes prevention.

Member Insight videos

Navigating Dementia and Brain Health YouTube playlist

Over a series of 12 short videos, three family physicians share their expert advice on how to navigate patient conversations about dementia and brain health. They highlight practical approaches to integrating cognitive care into family medicine.

Featured family physicians:

• Yogesh Shah, MD, MPH, FAAFP

• Ariel Cole, MD, FAAFP

• Brianna Wynne MD, FAAFP

Patient resources on familydoctor.org

Use familydoctor.org’s dementia and brain health resources to educate patients about practical, evidence-based steps they can take to maintain brain health across their lifespan. These resources will help patients become comfortable discussing brain health, which will lead to productive conversations that reduce fear and empower patients of all ages with clear actions to protect their brains.

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