Abstract  

Objectives: The objective of this systematic review is to comprehensively evaluate screening practices for cognitive impairment in older adults, emphasizing the critical role of Geriatric Nursing Practitioner practitioners. Methodology: A systematic literature search of the major databases, inclusive of PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane library was carried out. The search was keywords centered on articles that dealt with cognitive impairment screening in older adults with mental health problems. Articles were carefully chosen according to the inclusion criteria such as only those articles which had been published during the last nine years and had undergone a peer-review process. Data extraction process involved identification of screening methods, participant characteristics, and major findings. The quality assessment made sure that the chosen literature was of good reliability, and data synthesis identified common factors such as similarities and differences between various studies. Results: The search resulted to 144 articles but after intensive screening, 20 of them were included in the review. Results were reported from different healthcare settings, showing both the frequency and the effectiveness of screening tools for identifying cognitive impairment. The role of nurse practitioners was identified in the selected articles, more particularly in establishment of screening systems, use tools for identification, and practice advanced roles. The synthesis revealed the role of patient-centred treatment, all-rounded approaches, and the opportunity of blending cognitive screening with routine healthcare practices.

Keywords: Nurse practitioners, cognitive impairment, screening tools, older adult and mental health