How your bank account might predict dementia

Financial well-being often deteriorates up to six years before a formal dementia diagnosis, serving as an early warning sign that frequently goes unnoticed by standard medical screenings. Research by health economist Lauren Nicholas indicates that this wealth decline stems specifically from impaired decision-making—such as increased risk tolerance and misplaced confidence—rather than medical expenses or lost income. The experience of Sanda Balaban’s father, a physician who lost nearly $2 million to scams and erratic investments, illustrates how high cognitive ability can mask symptoms for years. While financial institutions are often the first to observe these red flags, privacy regulations and a lack of diagnostic expertise currently prevent them from intervening. Proposed solutions include integrating credit report data into medical screenings to help physicians identify at-risk seniors before their life savings are depleted.