Majority of Older Adults Prefer Telephone-Based Dementia Screening, New Study Finds

Dementia is a syndrome that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. It comprises symptoms caused by other medical conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disorders, and depression. In some cases, it is treatable, which necessitates the early screening of dementia patients to provide targeted therapy before the underlying diseases progress too far. VCBeat has compiled a special report on dementia screening, highlighting the critical role of early detection in the treatment of dementia patients, with the aim of providing reference for related research and medical practice in China.

Although it is terrifying for patients to realize they are experiencing memory difficulties and cognitive issues, this recognition is the first step toward symptomatic treatment; one must never avoid seeking medical help due to fear of diagnosis.

Dementia develops progressively, yet many older adults never undergo screening for it.

A study published in November 2014 found that most people with dementia had never consulted a doctor for their condition. “In the United States, approximately 1.8 million individuals aged 70 and older with dementia have never undergone an assessment of their cognitive abilities. However, early evaluation and diagnosis of dementia can help patients receive care sooner,” said Vikas Kotagal, M.D., from the University of Michigan Medical School and Health System.

Researchers at the Indiana University Center for Aging Research, led by Dr. Nicole Fowler, are identifying the factors that motivate individuals to undergo dementia screening. According to Dr. Fowler, despite the rising incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, many people with cognitive impairment do not seek screening. As a result, their symptoms go undetected, and they never receive appropriate evaluation or diagnosis. Understanding patients’ attitudes toward the risks and benefits of early dementia identification is crucial, as these attitudes represent potential barriers to and facilitators of screening during patient assessment.

In a recent article published in the Journal of Aging Research, Fowler’s research team found that 63% of individuals aged 65 and older were willing to undergo screening via telephone. This preference was consistent across all respondents, regardless of age, gender, or race. The researchers were surprised by this result, as a 2012 survey had shown that 90% of older adults preferred face-to-face screening. However, compared with scheduling an appointment and visiting a clinic in person, telephone screening imposes a lower burden on patients and should theoretically be more acceptable. (Further reading:Accenture Report: The Top 5 Internet Healthcare Tools Seniors Want Most ）

Interestingly, individuals willing to undergo screening share the same underlying motivations and are indifferent to the screening modality (in-person or telephone). Research indicates that this group’s willingness stems from an awareness of the benefits of early diagnosis, as well as from having friends or relatives affected by Alzheimer’s disease.

VCBeat has observed that an increasing number of diseases can now be screened in their early stages using internet-based methods, which are more convenient, cost-effective, and capable of real-time monitoring compared to face-to-face diagnosis. VCBeat believes that the widespread acceptance of health concepts oriented toward prevention and early diagnosis will further foster the incubation of more innovative projects in this niche sector.

Helping the Elderly Understand the Benefits of Screening

“Our study provides insights into older adults’ perspectives on dementia screening,” said Dr. Fowler. “In addition to informing policymakers and researchers, we should prioritize raising awareness among frontline healthcare providers outside academia, such as community physicians. It is essential that they inform older adults about the benefits of dementia screening and the various modalities available, including in-person visits and telephone consultations.”

“This research falls within the scope of a topic we have been studying,” Fowler said in a telephone interview. In 2003, and again in 2012 or 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force reviewed dementia screening in primary care and found insufficient evidence to support such screening in primary care settings. We hope to gain insights into patients’ perspectives on this healthcare intervention.

Through her research on dementia screening, Fowler stated that she found “if patients hold the belief that early screening is beneficial, it is highly advantageous, whether in facilitating communication with their physicians or family members, or in initiating treatment at an earlier stage.” If the screening results are consistent with dementia, patients will be referred to their primary care physicians for comprehensive diagnostic testing.

A new case of dementia is diagnosed every four seconds.

According to data from the World Health Organization, approximately 47.5 million people worldwide are living with dementia. This figure is projected to rise to 75.6 million by 2030 and to 135.5 million by 2050. Early diagnosis of dementia can significantly improve quality of life, benefiting not only patients but also their family caregivers and healthcare providers.

Compiled by: Chen Xin | Edited by: Luo Xiaosou