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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia Program

CHR Mini-Cog Screening Pilot

This multi-year Community Health Representative (CHR) pilot project is testing the applicability of the Mini-Cog© cognitive assessment in community settings, including a referral process.

Secondary aims are:

  • raising awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s among I/T/U staff and tribal members,
  • establishing peer-to-peer learning networks, and
  • examining data collection and documentation approaches.

The IHS Alzheimer's program funds CHR programs to participate in short-term demonstration projects.

Why Should CHRs Be Involved?

CHR professionals can play a key role for people with dementia and their caregivers. In addition to ongoing CHR services, they can promote timely detection and diagnosis, help educate about dementia, and connect people living with dementia and their caregivers with community resources.

Alzheimer's and Dementia and CHR Collaborations

In early 2024, the IHS implemented the first six-month pilot of the CHR Early Dementia Detection Initiative. The six participating Tribal locations from six IHS areas collectively conducted 193 screenings, resulting in 34 positive screenings (17.6 percent). A second round of pilot projects will start in 2025.

To learn more, visit the CHR program website.