Abstract Writing 5

Financial Problems as an Early Sign of Dementia: A Large-Scale Quantitative Study

Introduction:

Dementia is a progressive and debilitating condition that affects an individual's cognitive abilities, including memory, reasoning, and judgment. As the population ages, the incidence of dementia is expected to rise, and early detection is crucial for effective intervention. Recent research has suggested that financial difficulties can be an early sign of dementia. However, the magnitude of this association remains unknown. This study aims to provide quantitative evidence of the relationship between financial problems and dementia, using a large-scale dataset of older adults.

Methodology:

This study analyzed medical and credit information from approximately 80,000 older adults aged 65 and older who lived alone and received healthcare through Medicare. The research team recorded late bill payments and drops in credit scores as indicators of financial difficulties. The study compared the financial records of individuals who developed dementia with those who did not, using a difference-in-differences regression analysis to control for the effect of aging.

Results:

The study found that individuals who developed dementia were more likely to have had late bill payments six years before being diagnosed. They were also more likely to have their credit scores drop below 620 (called “subprime”) two and a half years before being diagnosed. These financial problems were observed even after controlling for demographic and health characteristics.

Conclusion:

This study provides quantitative evidence that financial problems can be an early sign of dementia. The findings suggest that financial difficulties should be considered a potential indicator of cognitive decline, and earlier screening and detection are necessary to protect the financial well-being of the patient and their families. Financial education for older adults may also be beneficial in mitigating the risk of financial problems associated with cognitive decline. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of this relationship and develop effective interventions to address financial difficulties in individuals with dementia.

Disclaimer

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Copyrights

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author.

What is an abstract?

An abstract is “a short form of a speech, article, book, etc., giving only the most important facts or ideas” (Cambridge)

An abstract is a summary of a larger academic work.

The Five-Move Approach

In general, an abstract has five moves. A move is an aim. They are (1) background or situation, (2) aim of the paper or study, (3) method, (4) results, and (5) recommendations or implications.