https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2j99vfkdgg
Patients and doctors alike may be waiting too long to address thinking and memory changes, according to this year’s Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report from the Alzheimer’s Association.
About 54% of Americans experiencing thinking and memory problems have not consulted with a health professional, and 97% of primary care physicians reported that they wait for patients or family members to make them aware of symptoms.
Delaying an assessment and diagnosis will delay care. Delayed care may result in patients missing out on effective therapies. And currently, many drugs in development and two already approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s are for people in the early stages of the disease.
The Association also labeled 20 US states “dementia neurology deserts,” where there is a shortage of dementia specialists. The scarcity of specialists can make it even more difficult for patients to receive an assessment, diagnosis, and care.