Early Alzheimer’s disease associated with risk of reduced wealth

A reduction in household income may be a sign of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, according to new research. Looking at data between 1992 and 2014, scientists found that having a diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s or related dementias was associated with between a 3% to 5% reduction in wealth that could readily be converted to cash. Such households, on average, had a mean income of about $44,000 — in contrast, households without someone diagnosed with early Alzheimer’s had an average income of more than $58,000. Those who are at the earliest stages of the disease may have trouble managing their finances — including balancing a checkbook or paying bills on time — which could explain the link between financial insecurity and the condition, the authors write.