Is the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale (BCRS) typically completed only at the initial evaluation or can it be completed at various times during the course of your treatment with an individual?
Answer
I highly recommend that the Brief Cognitive Rating Scale be completed more than once especially when you are working with individuals with dementia in either Stage 2 or Stage 3, which have the more mild cognitive impairments. You might want to reevaluate patients at this level after cognitive retraining to see if any improvements have been made.
This also could be a great tool in the case of medications or a transient illness causing cognitive impairments. Using the BCRS could help to rule out things such as urinary tract infections, "chemo brain" or other transient illnesses versus dementia.
Michelle Hediger, M.S., OTR/L
Michelle is an Occupational Therapist who currently is responsible for clinical program development and special projects for a large contract rehab provider. Prior to this role, she has held regional operations positions providing management oversight for post-acute rehab and assisted living settings. She has nearly 15 years experience as an Occupational Therapist across a variety of settings including skilled nursing, assisted and independent living, mental health and school based therapy. Her clinical areas of expertise include management and leadership, long term care programming and wellness program design and implementation. She spent four years as an Assistant Professor and Academic Fieldwork Coordinator at Suffolk County Community College, New York. She is an experienced program developer who has produced and presented training courses for healthcare professionals with a variety of backgrounds, including therapists, nurses, social work and long term care administrators. Her expertise in Geriatric management and education has led her to expand rehab teams and build innovative therapy programs across the geriatric care continuum.
Related Courses
1https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/cognitive-interventions-in-home-practical-5963Cognitive Interventions In The Home: A Practical Approach For OT ProfessionalsBecoming skilled in addressing cognition serves practitioners in all settings as it may be the key to patients reaching their maximum level of performance. This course aims to elevate OT practitioners' skillsets when working with patients with cognitive impairments.auditory, textual, visual
'information and encouragement for advocacy'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, 07061; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-944229; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Rehabilitation
Becoming skilled in addressing cognition serves practitioners in all settings as it may be the key to patients reaching their maximum level of performance. This course aims to elevate OT practitioners' skillsets when working with patients with cognitive impairments.
2https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/motor-planning-impact-on-communication-9548Motor Planning: The Impact On Communication And BeyondMaster skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. This four-hour course will describe the components of motor planning and the areas of impact. Assessment, how to support clients with motor planning challenges, and strategies for discussing praxis with caregivers are also addressed.auditory, textual, visual
'Lots of visual examples walking you through the issues in real life'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.4 Intermediate, OT Service Delivery, 04960; CE Broker/4.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-926505; IACET/0.4; NBCOT PDUs/5.0 Intermediate, Rehabilitation
Master skills to implement in your practice immediately with continued Master Class. This four-hour course will describe the components of motor planning and the areas of impact. Assessment, how to support clients with motor planning challenges, and strategies for discussing praxis with caregivers are also addressed.
3https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/dementia-diaries-understanding-types-dementia-5200Dementia Diaries: Understanding the Types of DementiaThis course will provide a comprehensive review of the most common types of dementia, including definitive diagnosis characteristics and prognosis. Reversible and irreversible dementias will be discussed, as well as progressive and non-progressive types.textual, visual
AOTA/0.15 Intermediate, Foundational Knowledge, 02406; CE Broker/1.5 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-800425; IACET/0.2; NBCOT PDUs/1.88 Intermediate, Geriatrics
This course will provide a comprehensive review of the most common types of dementia, including definitive diagnosis characteristics and prognosis. Reversible and irreversible dementias will be discussed, as well as progressive and non-progressive types.
4https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/occupational-therapists-effectively-training-caregivers-5712Occupational Therapists Effectively Training Caregivers: Effective Communication And Care For Persons Living With DementiaEducation to effectively train families and caregivers to communicate with and care for people challenged with dementia will be provided in this course. The focus is on understanding the abilities and challenges of the dementia patient as well as the challenges of the family and caregivers.auditory, textual, visual
'The complex knowledge and detailed presentation'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery, 05193; CE Broker/1.0 General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-953274; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Geriatrics
Education to effectively train families and caregivers to communicate with and care for people challenged with dementia will be provided in this course. The focus is on understanding the abilities and challenges of the dementia patient as well as the challenges of the family and caregivers.
5https://www.occupationaltherapy.com/ot-ceus/course/spaced-retrieval-technique-to-for-4695The Spaced Retrieval Technique: A How To For OTsThis course will provide an overview of the spaced retrieval technique, which is a cognitive intervention that can improve recall of functional information. Participants will learn the evidence behind this technique as well as how to implement it in therapy sessions.auditory, textual, visual
'Excellent course! She presented the information clearly and concisely'Read Reviews
AOTA/0.1 Introductory, OT Service Delivery; CE Broker/1.0 Home Study, General (FL), Patient Related (AL), General Continuing Education (GA), Direct Client/patient Services In Occupational Therapy (SC), Related To OT (AZ), Related To OT (LA), Directly Related To OT (MS), Directly Related To OT (TN), CE Broker #20-778762; IACET/0.1; NBCOT PDUs/1.25 Beginner, Rehabilitation
This course will provide an overview of the spaced retrieval technique, which is a cognitive intervention that can improve recall of functional information. Participants will learn the evidence behind this technique as well as how to implement it in therapy sessions.
