A new op-ed by Charles Sauer in the Washington Times argues that earlier Alzheimer’s diagnosis is not only a healthcare issue, but also a financial one for millions of American families.
In the piece, Sauer explains how cognitive decline often begins affecting financial decision-making years before a formal diagnosis, leaving families vulnerable to mounting debt, missed payments, and costly mistakes.
“People who develop Alzheimer’s or related dementias show measurable financial decline in the five years before diagnosis.”
The article highlights research showing that missed mortgage payments, declining credit scores, and impulsive spending can all emerge before patients and families realize what is happening.
Sauer argues that earlier screening and diagnosis would give families more time to prepare financially, establish safeguards, and make informed long-term care decisions.
“Diagnosing Alzheimer’s early is key to protecting finances.”
The piece also points to the growing fiscal burden Alzheimer’s disease places on both families and federal healthcare programs. Lifetime medical and caregiving costs for Alzheimer’s patients can approach $400,000, while total U.S. dementia spending is projected to reach $1.6 trillion by 2050.
According to Sauer, advances in diagnostic testing now make earlier intervention more realistic than ever before.
“New blood-based biomarker tests can identify the disease with about 90% accuracy.”
Sauer concludes that policymakers and healthcare providers should prioritize early cognitive screening and better integrate Alzheimer’s detection into routine primary care.
The full Washington Times piece can be read here: “Early Alzheimer’s diagnoses could prevent huge money mistakes.”
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