Is Large‐Scale Community Memory Screening Feasible? Experience from a Regional Memory‐Screening Day

Abstract

A follow-up survey of participants and their physicians supported the conclusion that a community memory-screening program might detect individuals who were previously unknown to have cognitive problems. Furthermore, such a program was highly acceptable to participants. The small number of individuals diagnosed with dementia as a result of the screening program indicates that this form of screening may be inefficient as performed. Multiple obstacles to seeking follow-up care were identified and would need to be addressed in larger-scale programs to make this a worthwhile endeavor. The experience gained in this memory screening program might aid in the planning of better programs, which will be essential if early diagnosis is to keep pace with the growth of treatments for dementia.