Cognitive Impairment in Older Adults Receiving Home Care: MMSE Assessment, Dementia Risk, and the Economic Impact of Disease Progression

Abstract

Population aging in Brazil poses increasing challenges for the healthcare of older adults with cognitive decline. This study evaluated 3,464 older adults receiving home care using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) to identify levels of cognitive impairment, assess selected modifiable risk factors associated with dementia progression, and analyze the clinical and economic impacts of disease progression. The findings demonstrate a significant correlation between worsening cognitive status, increased care complexity, and rising healthcare costs, particularly in the more advanced stages of dementia, highlighting the importance of prevention programs as well as the early diagnosis of cognitive decline.