Dementia Diagnosis and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Older Adults
Summary
Dementia represents a leading cause of disability among older adults worldwide, with profound implications for individuals, families and health systems. Early diagnosis enables timely intervention, care planning and access to support services, yet recognition of cognitive decline often occurs at advanced stages. Diagnostic pathways range from opportunistic screening in primary care to structured case‐finding in acute settings, incorporating cognitive assessments, biomarker analyses and neuroimaging. Help‐seeking behaviour is shaped by awareness of subtle cognitive changes, cultural beliefs, perceived stigma and the quality of patient–provider communication. Many older adults interpret memory lapses as normal ageing, delaying the decision to seek professional advice until functional impairment becomes evident. Carers and health professionals play a vital role in recognising early warning signs, initiating conversations about cognition and guiding individuals towards assessment. Technological innovations such as remote digital screening tools offer potential to streamline detection, but acceptability and integration into existing workflows remain under evaluation. Across regions, disparities in access, literacy around cognitive health and system capacity call for tailored public education and interdisciplinary approaches to support earlier help seeking and equitable dementia diagnosis.
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Dementia Diagnosis and Help-Seeking Behaviors in Older Adults publication trend
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Technical terms
Subjective memory decline: Self‐reported perception of worsening memory not necessarily confirmed by objective tests.
Mild cognitive impairment: Transitional state between normal ageing and dementia, characterised by measurable but not functionally disabling cognitive deficits.
Cognitive screening: Brief assessments designed to detect early signs of cognitive impairment, often used in primary care or community settings.
Help‐seeking behaviour: Actions taken by individuals or carers to obtain professional advice or assessment in response to perceived health concerns.
References
- Patient-provider communication about cognition and the role of memory concerns: a descriptive study. BMC Geriatrics (2023).
- Examine Race/Ethnicity Disparities in Perception, Intention, and Screening of Dementia in a Community Setting: Scoping Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
- Remote Cognitive Screening Of Healthy Older Adults for Primary Care With the MyCog Mobile App: Iterative Design and Usability Evaluation. JMIR Formative Research (2023).
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