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INTRODUCTION: There is limited evidence about factors related to the timeliness of dementia diagnosis in healthcare settings. METHODS: In five prospective cohorts at Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, we identified participants with incident dementia based on annual assessments and examined the timing of healthcare diagnoses in Medicare claims. We assessed sociodemographic, health, and psychosocial correlates of timely diagnosis. RESULTS: Of 710 participants, 385 (or 54%) received a timely claims diagnosis within 3 years prior to or 1 year following dementia onset. In logistic regressions accounting for demographics, we found Black participants (odds ratio [OR] = 2.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21 to 3.82) and those with better cognition at dementia onset (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.98) were at higher odds of experiencing a diagnostic delay, whereas participants with higher income (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81 to 0.97) and more comorbidities (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.89 to 0.98) had lower odds. DISCUSSION: We identified characteristics of individuals who may miss the optimal window for dementia treatment and support. Highlights: We compared the timing of healthcare diagnosis relative to the timing of incident dementia based on rigorous annual evaluation.Older Black adults with lower income, higher cognitive function, and fewer comorbidities were less likely to be diagnosed in a timely manner by the healthcare system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Poor social connection is considered a risk factor for dementia. Since socializing behaviors may cluster together or act compensatorily, we aimed to investigate social connection patterns and their association with dementia, for men and women separately. METHODS: A total of 12,896 community‐dwelling older adults (mean ± SD age: 75.2 ± 4.3 years, 54% women) without major cognitive impairment were included. Latent class analysis was conducted using 24 baseline social connection indicators. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to estimate the association between latent classes and incident dementia over 12 (median: 8.4) years follow‐up. RESULTS: Three distinct classes were identified in both genders: strong social connections with an intermediate friend‐relative network (Class 1: men, 43.8%; women, 37.9%), weak social connections (Class 2: men, 29.6%; women, 27.4%), and strong social connections with a larger friend‐relative network (Class 3: men, 26.6%; women, 34.7%). Compared to Class 1, men in Class 2 (HR: 1.38, 95% CI: 1.08‐1.77) and women in Class 3 (HR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.01‐1.60) had an increased risk of dementia. DISCUSSION: Dementia risk varies with different social connection patterns among older men and women. Highlights: Three distinct social connection patterns were identified based on 24 indicators.These patterns were related to dementia risk differently in men and women.In men, a weak social connection pattern was associated with a higher dementia risk.In women, a strong social connection with a relatively larger friend‐relative network was associated with a greater dementia risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]