02-19-2025 PTL - Flipbook - Page 4
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A Special Advertising Section of Baltimore Sun Media Group | Wednesday, February 19, 2025
HEALTH
New free dementia
screening tool now
available
Brief, self-administered
test can allay fears
By Margit B. Weisgal, Contributing Writer
I
s it aging or is it dementia? This is the one thought that older adults are constantly stressed about, questioning when they forget a word, not really knowing
if it’s normal, age-related decline or the first sign of one of the dementias that
takes away our ability to think, to reason, to remember.
Now, the Maryland Department of
Aging (MDOA) has on its website a
free screening tool called AD8 (Ascertain
Dementia 8), an eight-item interview to
differentiate between aging and dementia. It’s easy to access: https://aging.
maryland.gov/brainhealth
“The AD8 Washington University
Dementia Screening Test was developed
to compare signs of normal aging to
potential signs of mild dementia. This
8-question screening can be used by
an individual or their loved one prior to
scheduling a full screening with a primary
care provider or healthcare practitioner,”
according to the website.
MDOA’s goal is to make this available
state-wide. It trained 150 counselors
at Maryland Access Point (MAP) sites
across the state on how to administer
it. MAP specialists work with caregivers,
professionals and all individuals with
long-term care needs to plan, identify,
connect and assist with accessing private and public resources for long-term
services and supports. You can reach
Maryland Access Point (MAP) by phone:
1-844-MAP-LINK (1-844-627-5465), or
online: marylandaccesspoint.211md.org.
“There’s a stigma to discussing challenges, especially those related to memory, which should be a normal part
of health screenings,” explains Mark
Tesoro, MDOA behavioral health specialist, who updated the screening tool for
the department. “Your mental health is
crucial, but people are very hesitant to
discuss it. Fear prevents them from asking questions because the answer can
be unsettling. They need the ability to say
to themselves, ‘Let’s see if this is really
more than normal aging,’ and then use
AD8 more frequently.
“We chose this tool for several reasons. It’s very brief and it can be selfadministered. If necessary, the questions
can be asked by a caregiver or friend, so
if you do come up with some challenges,
some questionable areas, it recommends
you see your internist, or a specialist.
“This is not meant to be a cognitive
assessment or an evaluation to replace
what a doctor would administer. It’s to
say, ‘yes, you should see a profession-
al for more information,’ or ‘no, you’re
doing fine.’
“One concern that bothers me since
I started on this project is that the subject of mental competence often doesn’t
come up when you visit with the doctor.
Taking care of your mind should be the
same as taking care of your cholesterol
or vision. We need to change the narrative around brain health. A diagnosis isn’t
the end of the road. It’s the beginning of
taking control and finding support.”
A screening test in itself is insufficient to diagnose a dementing disorder.
The AD8 is, however, quite sensitive to
detecting early cognitive changes associated with many common dementing
illnesses including Alzheimer’s disease,
Vascular Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia
and Frontotemporal Dementia.
Dementia is a disease of exclusion.
There are many physical problems that
can mimic dementia, such as hearing
loss, Vitamin B12 deficiency, ingestion of
toxins and more. There are also physical
conditions that increase your risk. This is
why you should speak with your clinician
and make sure everything else is ruled
out.
All dementia is not Alzheimer’s disease. There are many different types. In
general, though, early detection of any
form of dementia is critical. By identifying
cognitive changes promptly, physicians
can connect individuals with appropriate
treatments, support services, and care
plans that make a meaningful difference
in their lives.
“We aren’t ready for people to really
live longer,” Tesoro adds. “Look at other
countries that have very old individuals.
They are ahead of us in providing support.
That’s why Longevity Ready Maryland,
our long-term plan for Maryland’s aging
population, is so important. There are
many aspects to preparing for our aging
population.”
Maryland has been chosen by the
Centers for Health Care Strategies as
one of 10 states to participate in the
Multisector Plan for Aging Learning
Collaborative, which creates a valuable
blueprint to help states design a coordinated system of high-quality care and
support services that promotes healthy
aging, independent living and social
engagement.
Of the 6.1 million residents currently
living in Maryland, nearly 1.7 million
are 60 years or older. About 300,000
Marylanders are over the age of 85, the
fastest growing segment of the older
population, according to the U.S. Census
Bureau. In addition to Marylanders grow-
Dementia, continued on page 20
