MICHAEL D. HURD, PETER HUDOMIET, SUSANN ROHWEDDER
Benefits of Seeking
Early Detection of
Cognitive Decline
D
ementia profoundly affects individuals and their families. Even in the absence of effective
disease-modifying treatments, an individual with an elevated risk of developing demen-
tia might be able to take actions that would ameliorate some of the consequences. In this
report, we investigate whether individuals and their families take actions following an indi-
cation of cognitive decline or a doctor’s diagnosis of a memory-related disease, and whether those
actions have benefits. We consider the value of information about the likelihood of progression to
dementia, not the value of slowing disease progression.
The value of the information partially depends on actions that could be taken while the indi-
vidual still has substantial control of their cognitive capacities and the results of those actions.
Examples of such actions are
• estate planning, establish-
ing a living will, reducing
financial responsibili-
ties, involving children in
financial decisions, moving
closer to family
• making different spending
decisions, which could be
to enjoy their finances now
while possible or reducing
their spending to build up
wealth for future health
care costs
• adopting a healthier
lifestyle.
KEY FINDINGS
■ After receiving information about the onset of cognitive decline, many
individuals and their families took action, such as a child helping with
finances or establishing a living will.
■ Generally, those with dementia and their family members who took
action subsequently fared worse in the six outcomes we measured
(survival, probability of having dementia, life satisfaction, depression,
wealth, and being in fair or poor health).
■ But those who took action had worse cognition, health, and finances
before the onset of dementia, suggesting that taking action signaled
more advanced cognitive decline.
■ The most favorable outcomes for those who took action were related
to depression and wealth: In half of the comparisons of those mea-
sures, the subsequent outcomes were better compared with when
action was not taken.
■ The objective measure of cognitive decline that the authors developed
was substantially stronger at predicting or confirming action than rely-
ing on a doctor’s diagnosis alone.
Research Report
