Screening for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can give seniors and their families advanced warning to plan and prepare for an oncoming decline.
But there’s also concern that a positive screening result might stress a family out, with adult children anxious over their role as caregivers and seniors worried about losing their independence.
Such stress is not a good reason to hold off on screening for dementia and Alzheimer’s, a large-scale clinical trial has concluded.
Screenings performed during primary care appointments did not cause psychological distress for a senior’s family members, researchers reported April 20 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
“The study provides reassuring evidence that screening did not worsen family members’ quality of life, depression, or anxiety over two years,” lead researcher Nicole Fowler, an associate professor of medicine at Indiana University, said in a news release.
Unfortunately, the study also showed that these screenings did not leave family members better prepared for caregiving, researchers found.
“This study makes an important distinction: Screening alone is not the same as early diagnosis and getting people and their families linked to care,” Fowler said. “Early diagnosis may help caregivers when it actually leads to diagnostic assessment, treatment, and ongoing support, not simply when a screening test is offered.”
For the new study, researchers analyzed data for more than 1,800 patient-family member pairs who received primary care at 29 Indiana clinics. The patients were all at least 65 years old.
The pairs were randomly placed in one of three groups. Either a patient received screening for cognitive impairment, received screening plus referral to a diagnostic follow-up, or didn’t get screened at all.
As part of the study, family members filled out a quality-of-life measure across two years that included physical and mental health scores. They were also assessed for symptoms of anxiety or depression, and tested on preparedness for caregiving.
Overall, about 5 percent of patients screened positive for cognitive impairment.
There were no significant differences in mental health between family members whose seniors received screening and those who didn’t, researchers said.
However, family members also didn’t become more capable of caregiving, the study showed.
These results show that better systems need to be built around any dementia screening process to ensure that patients receive proper diagnosis and care, Fowler said.
For example, new blood tests for early Alzheimer’s disease have been developed, and these tests can steer patients toward promising new treatments and clinical trials, she said.
“Delayed diagnosis is associated with greater caregiver stress, burden, and isolation, and early detection may help families through education, earlier intervention, and support,” Fowler said.
“We also know that collaborative dementia care programs that work alongside primary care can improve patient and caregiver outcomes, and that newer disease-modifying therapies are only approved for earlier-stage Alzheimer’s disease.”
Research shows that Black Americans face higher rates of dementia and cognitive decline, yet they are 35 percent less likely than other racial groups to receive a diagnosis. When older Black patients are diagnosed, it is often much later when the disease has progressed, which can make it more challenging to treat.
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Black seniors often face several barriers that can contribute to these disparities in dementia diagnosis and care, including:
Early diagnosis can improve access to treatment, planning, and support for Black patients and their families.
Access to newer dementia therapies often depends on receiving an early diagnosis. Earlier intervention can help families address safety, concerns, medication management, and long-term care planning — especially for caregivers who may need more time to prepare financially and emotionally.
RELATED: Alzheimer’s Disease Clinical Trials: What You Need to Know
For Medicare patients, Part B offers annual wellness visits (AWVs) that include cognitive assessments, allowing early identification of signs of cognitive decline. During this screening, a provider checks the patient’s memory, thinking, and language abilities. If impairment is detected, a provider will request a more comprehensive visit for a full assessment and to create a care plan.
Black families are more likely to provide unpaid caregiving, which may lead to financial strain, burnout, and reduced access to support services. The study’s findings highlight that dementia screening alone is not enough — families also need resources and follow-up care to support their loved one.
Families can find support through the following resources:
Caregivers can also contact the patient’s provider for additional information and support.
If your loved one is displaying any of these symptoms, talk with a healthcare provider about cognitive screening:
The study reveals that dementia screening itself doesn’t appear to increase family distress. However, screening must be paired with equitable follow-up care when results indicate cognitive impairment. Black patients disproportionately face gaps in dementia diagnosis and treatment, so families may benefit significantly when the disease is identified earlier rather than later.
More information
The Alzheimer’s Association has more on cognitive screening.
SOURCES: Indiana University, news release, April 27, 2026; JAMA Internal Medicine, April 20, 2026
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