By U. Michigan
Researchers at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Michigan Medicine studied responses from nearly 1,300 participants in the National Poll on Healthy Aging—a large, nationally representative survey of older adults—to understand experiences and views of cognitive screening and blood biomarker testing among adults aged 65-80.
Consistent with previous research, their study found that only about 1 in 5 older Americans reported having cognitive screening in the past year, with such rates lower among certain racial and ethnic minority groups (i.e., Hispanic, Asian American).
More than 6.5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, a number projected to double by 2060, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, the study showed that a majority of older Americans are aware of the upsides of early detection—earlier treatment, financial planning, and more.
Even with recognition of potential benefits and Medicare coverage of cognitive testing for beneficiaries, the underuse of cognitive screening persists, the researchers say. Millions of dementia cases go undiagnosed and untreated, fueled by multiple barriers to diagnosis at the patient, provider and health care system levels, which the study details.
“Living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias can impact entire families and social systems. When addressed early, individuals along with their loved ones and health care providers can work together to make important medical, financial, and legal decisions for the future,” says Chelsea Cox, a doctoral student in the health behavior and health equity Department at UM’s School of Public Health.
The sooner a conversation about cognitive health occurs, the more possibilities for prevention, symptom control and treatment open up, says Scott Roberts, a professor of health behavior and health equity and a longtime Alzheimer’s disease and dementia researcher.
“Treatments are now available to help slow the course of Alzheimer’s disease, if started early enough, and there are promising clinical trials and risk reduction strategies available,” he says.
“So for many older adults, talking to your doctor about your cognitive health can be as important as talking to your doctor about your physical health.”
Source: University of Michigan
Original Study DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70067
—
Previously Published on futurity.org with Creative Commons License
***
Does dating ever feel challenging, awkward or frustrating?
Turn Your Dating Life into a WOW! with our new classes and live coaching.
Click here for more info or to buy with special launch pricing!
***
On Substack? Follow us there for more great dating and relationships content.
Join The Good Men Project as a Premium Member today.
All Premium Members get to view The Good Men Project with NO ADS. Need more info? A complete list of benefits is here.
—
Photo credit: iStock
