Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia are becoming more common, and early detection can help people get treatment sooner.
However, many older adults in the U.S. are not getting tested for cognitive problems, even though screening tools are available.
Researchers at the University of Michigan wanted to understand why this is happening.
Their study included responses from nearly 1,300 adults aged 65 to 80 who took part in the National Poll on Healthy Aging, a large national survey of older Americans.
The goal was to find out how many people had been tested for memory and thinking problems recently and how they felt about screening.
The findings showed that only about 1 in 5 older adults had taken a cognitive screening test in the past year. The numbers were even lower among some racial and ethnic groups, such as Hispanic and Asian American participants. This matches earlier research showing that many dementia cases go undiagnosed, especially in minority communities.
Alzheimer’s disease affects more than 6.5 million people in the United States today, and experts predict that number could double by 2060.
Early detection can help people access treatments that may slow the disease, allow them to plan financially, and make important legal and medical decisions before their condition worsens. Despite these benefits, many older adults are not getting screened.
The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, suggests that several barriers prevent people from getting tested. Some patients may not realize the importance of screening, while others may avoid it due to fear or stigma.
Doctors might not always bring up cognitive testing during routine checkups, and some health care systems may not have enough resources to conduct widespread screening.
Chelsea Cox, one of the researchers and a doctoral student at the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health, pointed out that dementia doesn’t just affect individuals—it also impacts families and communities. When someone is diagnosed early, their loved ones and doctors can work together to make important plans for the future.
Another expert, Scott Roberts, who has studied Alzheimer’s disease for many years, emphasized that new treatments can help slow the disease if started early. He also mentioned that promising research is being done on ways to reduce the risk of dementia.
He encouraged older adults to discuss cognitive health with their doctors, just as they would talk about their physical health.
Roberts is also part of the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and the National Poll on Healthy Aging. A previous poll focused on dementia awareness among adults aged 50 to 80, but this new study specifically looked at those aged 65 to 80, the age group at highest risk for dementia.
What This Study Tells Us
This research highlights a major gap in dementia care. Even though Medicare covers cognitive testing, and early diagnosis has clear benefits, most older adults are not being screened.
Many people are simply not aware of the importance of testing, while others might avoid it out of fear or uncertainty. Doctors also play a role—if they don’t bring up cognitive health during checkups, many patients won’t get tested.
One major concern is that racial and ethnic minorities are even less likely to be screened. This could be due to language barriers, lack of trust in the healthcare system, or cultural differences in how dementia is perceived. Addressing these disparities is crucial, especially as the number of people living with dementia is expected to grow rapidly in the coming decades.
To improve early detection, more education is needed for both patients and healthcare providers. Doctors should routinely discuss cognitive health with older patients, and people should feel encouraged—not fearful—about getting screened.
With more awareness and better access to testing, millions of people could receive earlier diagnosis and care, improving their quality of life and giving them more control over their future.
The research findings can be found in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring.
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