Cognitively impaired elders. Using research findings to improve nursing care.

1. Cognitive changes may be similar in people with Alzheimer's disease, but each person loses abilities differently, and each individual responds differently to interventions. 2. Assessment of cognitive function is needed in order to design appropriate interventions that will be specific in facilitating independence in cognitively impaired elders. 3. Research findings suggest that functional ability in cognitively impaired elders can be maximized by assessing cognitive abilities and using this information to tailor specific interventions that will facilitate independence.