From McKnights Senior Living — By Lois A. Bowers —
In a newly published study, 67% of people who had dementia diagnoses in their medical records did not mention the condition when interviewed later about their health.
his significant gap suggests that many people living with dementia may be unaware of their own diagnosis — or choose not to disclose it. It also is a reminder for caregivers to ensure that the people in their care understand their health status so they can plan for the future, according to the authors.
Yale researchers studied data from 65-and-older participants in the Health and Retirement Study, or HRS, from 1998 to 2000, with linked Medicare claims from 1995 to 2021. The results of their investigation were published Aug. 26 in JAMA Network Open.
At each HRS interview, the older adults were asked whether a doctor ever had told them that they had certain health conditions. People were much more likely to not disclose a dementia diagnosis than they were to not disclose diagnoses of diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis and depression, suggesting that the individuals “retain[ed] the ability to report other diagnosed conditions despite not reporting dementia,” the researchers said.
Of the 3,602 people in the study with dementia who self-reported that they had the condition, 16.7% had received the diagnosis in a residential care setting such as an assisted living community, nursing home or hospice. Of the 2,556 people in the study with dementia who self-reported that they did not have it, 11.3% had received the diagnosis in a residential care setting.
When underreporting is higher
Underreporting was “particularly high” when symptoms were still mild, the researchers said.
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