Patient voices on Alzheimer's and other dementias

Discover what 1,000 older adults had to say about brain health.

Portrait of senior woman at home

How much do older adults know about brain health and cognitive testing? 

The world is on the precipice of a major change in how we approach Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Emerging treatments and expanding lifestyle interventions offer hope for millions around the world. But to optimize outcomes, providers must spot signs of cognitive impairment much earlier than in the past.

Patient partnership will be critical to the success of both prevention and early detection efforts, and knowing how a diagnosis could impact patient lives. 

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Download our report for insights from a survey of 1,000 representative US adults 65+, revealing their perspectives  – as well as key gaps in the current state of cognitive care.

Download our report

Frequently asked questions

Below you'll find answers to the most common questions about cognitive assessments.

What is cognitive testing?

Cognitive testing focuses on assessing an individual’s cognition to determine if their cognitive performance is normal or if they may have signs of cognitive impairment. Signs of cognitive impairment can be present even if an individual is not exhibiting clinical symptoms. Some cognitive impairment cases stem from reversible causes, but others may occur due to underlying causes like Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Cognitive testing is particularly important for older adults and assessing patients for cognitive impairment is now a required part of Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit. 

What are the most common cognitive function tests?

The most commonly used cognitive assessments historically have been paper-based cognitive tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment for Dementia (MoCA), described above, though a variety of other tests exist. Digital cognitive assessments have also arisen in recent years and are rising in usage. Patients experiencing clinical symptoms of cognitive impairment may also undergo more elaborate neurocognitive testing with a combination of tests to further a diagnosis and care plan.

Why would providers choose to use a digital cognitive test instead of paper-based tests?

Digital cognitive assessments offer a wide range of benefits over paper-based cognitive assessments. For example, digital cognitive testing solutions boost workflow efficiency with automated administration and scoring. They also enable objectivity and consistency in cognitive testing and some have shown to have higher sensitivity than traditional tests.