More People Now Have a Dementia Diagnosis, But There's a Catch

Photo by Adi Goldstein on Unsplash

Dementia news: 47% of people ages 67 and above now die with a diagnosis of dementia listed in their medical record (based on a review of 3.5 million Medicare billing records). That is a 36% increase from 20 years ago.

Researchers caution this increase is likely due to more detailed medical records, better public awareness, and updated medical billing practices rather than an increase in the actual rate of disease.

reference: Davis, M. A., et al. (2022). Trends in US Medicare Decedents' Diagnosis of Dementia from 2004 to 2017. JAMA Health Forum, 3(4).