screened for AD early, including timely medical treatment and the chance to
prepare financially, emotionally and medically.
Behavior Doesn’t Mirror Belief: Despite overwhelming public support for early AD
screening and action, people do not typically follow-through on their intentions when
confronted with the disease head-on.
• Very few adults (27%) over the age of 55 who suspected a loved one had AD,
encouraged them to be screened. They also did not (only 38%) encourage them to
have a conversation with their doctor regarding AD.
These results are particularly troubling because AD symptoms are typically detected by a close friend or relative, and without the ability to do so, patients don’t get diagnosed until symptoms are far along. Not only can early treatment help treat the symptoms of the disease, but an early diagnosis also gives the patient and their loved ones more time to adjust to the news and make important legal, financial and medical decisions together before the disease advances. Additionally with the emergence of medications that are aimed at slowing down the loss of brain cells and hopefully slowing progression of the disease, early detection becomes even more important.