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Objective: Routine health care visits offer the opportunity to screen older adults for symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Many women see their gynecologist as their primary health care provider. Given this unique relationship, the Women's Preventive Services Initiative and the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology advocate for integrated care of women at all ages. It is well-established that women are at increased risk for AD, and memory screening of older women should be paramount in this effort. Research is needed to determine the feasibility and value of memory screening among older women at the well-woman visit. Materials and Methods: Women aged 60 and above completed a 5-item subjective memory screener at their well-woman visit at the Columbia University Integrated Women's Health Program. Women who endorsed any item were considered to have a positive screen and were given the option to pursue clinical evaluation. Rates of positive screens, item endorsement, and referral preferences were examined. Results: Of the 530 women approached, 521 agreed to complete the screener. Of those, 17.5% (n = 91) were classified as positive. The most frequently endorsed item was difficulty with memory or thinking compared with others the same age. Among women with positive screens, 57.5% were interested in pursuing clinical referrals to a memory specialist. Conclusion: Results support the feasibility and potential value of including subjective memory screening as part of a comprehensive well-woman program. Early identification of memory loss will enable investigation into the cause of memory symptoms and longitudinal monitoring of cognitive change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Older adults are increasingly experiencing financial loss, with annual costs estimated to be about $2.9 billion. The risk of experiencing financial loss is magnified in those with neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). However, limited information exists on the frequency and amount of money lost, and the behaviors that contribute to such loss in these conditions. The current study sought to characterize the nature of financial losses in AD and FTD, and to identify risk factors in an effort to prevent or mitigate financial loss. Method: Survey data were collected from ten caregivers of individuals clinically diagnosed with AD or FTD recruited via the Neurodegeneration‐Associated Psychiatric Syndromes study and caregiver support groups at Columbia University Medical Center. Survey items queried demographic information, details of financial loss, level of concerns experienced by care partners and patients, and financial behaviors resulting in financial losses (Table 1). Result: Caregivers had known the patients on average for 46 years. Out of 10 patients, 6 experienced financial loss. See Table 2 for detailed results. While the same number of patients with AD and FTD lost money, those with FTD lost money more frequently and to a larger amount than those with AD. Caregivers of FTD patients expressed a higher degree of concern relative to those with AD. Moreover, most AD patients were described as being concerned about their financial ability, as compared to none of the FTD patients having concern for their financial ability. Additionally, 3 of 5 FTD patients were reported to have engaged in repetitive spending as compared to none of the AD patients. Conclusion: Preliminary data indicate a high prevalence of financial loss (60%) in AD and FTD. The intensity of financial loss and related caregiver burden appears higher in FTD, with caregivers describing repetitive spending and less concern about difficulties, likely tied to the lack of insight which is a core feature of this disease. These findings can guide caregiver supervision and interventions to preserve family funds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Internet use and mobile devices permeate every aspect of our lives and are changing our financial habits. Assessment of financial decision-making (FDM) has not yet caught up to apparent changes in financial behavior. To modernize assessment methods and create current and comprehensive FDM frameworks, we first need to establish the most commonly used and most preferred methods of performing specific financial activities., Method: Cross-sectional survey data were collected using an online platform and offline approaches (in person and by mail) (N = 234). The frequency of using technological (e.g., laptop) and non-technological (e.g., in-person banking) means of completing seven financial activities was assessed first, including Depositing checks, Reviewing bank statements, Keeping track of money spent, Transferring funds, Withdrawing cash, Paying bills, and Purchasing products online. Second, preference for technological versus non-technological methods was assessed. Finally, linear regression models examined associations between demographics and preference for technological methods for each financial activity., Results: The majority of respondents (77% online, 74% offline) used technology to perform various financial activities and preferred technological to non-technological methods for completing five out of the six financial activities. Increased preference for technological methods was associated with younger age for all the financial activities, and higher education was associated with reviewing bank statement and transferring funds., Conclusions: Our survey findings provide empirical evidence for the changing nature of our financial habits. We discuss the implications of this change for researchers, clinicians, and the individuals themselves and emphasize the importance of modernizing FDM tools., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)