Use of Cognitive Screening among Older Adults Who Care for People with Dementia: A National Survey

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Health
• Caregiver Support

Background:

• Older adults caring for individuals with dementia face significant burdens.
• These caregivers are at an increased risk for cognitive decline themselves.
• Uptake of cognitive screening among dementia caregivers is not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the rate of cognitive screening in older adults.
• To compare cognitive screening uptake between dementia caregivers, non-dementia caregivers, and non-caregivers.
• To identify factors associated with cognitive test probability in older adults.

Main Methods:

• A national survey of US residents aged 65+ was conducted between December 2023 and February 2024.
• Participants reported on their caregiving status and cognitive screening in the past 12 months.
• Multivariable logistic regression analyzed the association between caregiver status and cognitive screening.

Main Results:

• 19.7% of all participants underwent cognitive screening.
• Dementia caregivers had a higher screening rate (25.2%) compared to non-dementia caregivers (19.2%) and non-caregivers (19.1%).
• Adjusted analysis showed dementia caregivers were 44% more likely to be screened (AOR=1.44).

Conclusions:

• Older adults caring for people with dementia are only marginally more likely to undergo cognitive screening.
• This suggests a potential gap in care for this vulnerable population.
• Interventions are needed to address barriers to cognitive screening for dementia caregivers.