Why an Early Diagnosis of Dementia Matters

Early detection of dementia leads to better outcomes for individuals with dementia and their care partners. It allows them to potentially benefit from a variety of care interventions, make decisions about their care, and tap into community resources to enhance their quality of life and function. Despite this, the Alzheimer’s Association reported that neither older adults nor primary care practitioners routinely raise brain health issues – particularly in the case that an older adult has signs of mild cognitive impairment. In this GSA Momentum Discussion Podcast episode, Bonnie Burman, president of the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health, discusses barriers to kickstarting brain health conversations and early diagnosis of dementia, offers strategies to overcome them, and highlights how care providers and other communities of interest can use the KAER Toolkit for Brain Health to improve early detection of dementia. Download the Transcript Guest: Bonnie Burman, ScD President, Ohio Council for Cognitive Health Host: Jennifer Pettis, MS, RN, CNE Director of Strategic Alliances, The Gerontological Society of America This podcast episode is supported by Eisai, Genentech, Lilly, and Otsuka.