Health
Early dementia often has a surprising warning sign, report says: 'Financial consequences'
Dementia takes a costly toll on the families it affects — emotionally, physically and even financially.
In many cases, an impact on finances is one of the earliest signs of the disease, according to a new report from the New York Federal Reserve.
In analyzing 17 years of data from consumer credit agencies and Medicare databases, researchers found that a decline in credit scores and an increase in late payments are often seen in the five years prior to diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders (ADRD).
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Those in the early stages of dementia may also accumulate greater debt, open new credit accounts and use multiple types of credit.
“Considering the typical progression of the disease, these findings point to financial consequences of the disease in its earliest stages, when symptoms are typically mild and not widely apparent,” the researchers wrote.
In many cases, a negative impact on finances is one of the earliest signs of the disease, according to a new report. (iStock)
“The financial consequences of ADRD prior to diagnosis steadily increase over time.”
This is particularly concerning given that older adults with dementia will likely face substantial costs for caregiving and other related expenses, the report noted.
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Monica Moreno, senior director of care and support for the Alzheimer’s Association in Chicago, said the new report confirms what experts have already known — that challenges in managing money or personal finances are common early warning signs of dementia.
“While there are several signs or symptoms of dementia, challenges with problem-solving or planning can cause a person to mismanage their finances,” Moreno, who was not involved with the New York Fed’s report, told Fox News Digital via email.
“Other dementia-related symptoms, including decreased or poor judgment and difficulty completing familiar tasks, can also adversely affect money management or personal finances.”
“The individual may have stacks of unopened bills or may be spending an excessive amount of money.”
Early in the disease, people may struggle with more complicated tasks, like managing investments or making decisions about large purchases, Moreno noted.
“Since dementia is often a progressive condition, these challenges will increase over time,” she said. “It is important for family members to identify these potential signs early and intervene as soon as possible.”
Common warning signs
Some common signs to look for include the inability to balance a checking account, or consistently late payments on credit cards or other monthly bills, Moreno said.
“The individual may also have stacks of unopened bills or may be spending an excessive amount of money,” she said.
Some common signs to look for include the inability to balance a checking account, or consistently late payments on credit cards or other monthly bills, an expert said. (iStock)
People living with dementia are also more susceptible to financial abuse, identity theft, fraud or get-rich-quick schemes.
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“Failure to address these problems or potential threats can put individuals living with dementia at great financial risk,” Moreno warned.
5 ways families can help
“If you feel a family member is showing signs of dementia, it’s important to share your concerns and talk to a health care professional,” said Moreno. “Early diagnosis of dementia offers the best opportunity to put financial safeguards in place.”
For those whose loved ones are having difficulty managing their finances, the Alzheimer’s Association shared the following tips and strategies with Fox News Digital.
1. Discuss with the person how a trusted family member or friend can help either with paying bills or setting up automatic billing to avoid late payments.
ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER HANDBOOK: HERE ARE EXPERT TIPS AND TECHNIQUES FOR THOSE WHO TEND TO DEMENTIA PATIENTS
2. Create a separate account where you can keep a small, agreed-upon amount of money that the person can use for recreational activities, meals with friends or other personal purchases.
3. Sign up to receive automatic notifications for withdrawals from bank accounts or large charges to credit cards. If you set a charge or spending limit and if the person spends more than that, the bank or credit card company will let you know.
People living with dementia are also more susceptible to financial abuse, identity theft, fraud or get-rich-quick schemes, experts warn. (iStock)
4. Request electronic bank and credit card statements and watch for unusual purchases or changes in how the person typically spends money.
5. Sign up for the “Do Not Call” list at donotcall.gov to protect against telemarketing calls and potential phone scams.
It’s always best to have conversations about managing finances sooner rather than later, Moreno advised.
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“In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, people are more likely to understand the importance of these issues and suspicious activities to avoid,” she said.
“If you wait, these concepts will be more difficult to comprehend as your relatives’ memories and other executive functioning skills decline.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the New York Federal Reserve researchers requesting comment.
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Older adults who avoid meat in their golden years may be less likely to reach age 100 than their meat-eating counterparts, new research suggests.
Researchers tracked more than 5,000 adults aged 80 or older who were enrolled in the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey.
Between 1998 and 2018, data showed that those who did not eat meat were less likely to reach their 100th birthday than those who consumed animal products regularly.
The findings seem to contradict previous studies that have linked vegetarianism and plant-based diets to lower risks of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and obesity.
Most evidence supporting the benefits of plant-based diets comes from studies tracking younger populations, the researchers noted.
The findings contrast with previous research praising plant-based diets for their positive influence on heart health. (iStock)
The study, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, points to losses in muscle mass and bone density with age, shifts that can increase the risk of malnutrition and frailty in the “oldest old.”
As people enter their 80s and 90s, the nutritional priority often shifts from preventing long-term chronic diseases to maintaining day-to-day physical function, experts say.
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“The headline ‘vegetarians over 80 less likely to reach 100’ sounds surprising, because it contrasts with decades of data linking plant‑forward diets to lower chronic disease risk earlier in life,” Erin Palinski-Wade, a New Jersey-based registered dietitian, told Fox News Digital.
“However, once you see that this research is limited to adults over the age of 80 who are also underweight — and that this link disappears with the consumption of eggs, dairy and fish — the results are less surprising.”
While diets earlier in life tend to emphasize avoiding long-term disease, older age necessitates nutrients and weight maintenance, experts say. (iStock)
In those over 80, restricting animal proteins may be less likely to promote longevity, according to Palinski-Wade, who was not involved in the study.
Eliminating all animal protein — particularly in a population that may already experience diminished hunger cues — can make it more difficult to meet adequate protein needs, potentially increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies, the nutritionist said.
ALZHEIMER’S SYMPTOMS COULD BE PREDICTED YEARS IN ADVANCE THROUGH ONE SIMPLE TEST
In addition to a higher tendency to be underweight, older populations also face a greater risk of bone fractures due to lower calcium and protein intake.
Potential limitations
The lower rate of vegetarians reaching 100 was only observed in participants identified as underweight, the researchers noted. No such association was found in people who maintained a healthy weight.
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Because being underweight is already linked to greater frailty and mortality risk, the researchers noted that body weight may partly explain the findings, making it difficult to determine whether diet itself played a direct role.
Those incorporating animal-sourced products other than meat were just as likely to live to 100. (iStock)
Additionally, the shortened lifespans were not found in people who continued to eat non-meat animal products, such as fish, dairy and eggs.
Older adults with these more flexible diets were just as likely to live to 100 as those eating meat, as these foods may provide the nutrients necessary for maintaining muscle and bone health, the researchers noted.
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“This is an observational study, so it can only show associations, and does not prove that avoiding meat directly reduces the odds of reaching 100,” Palinski-Wade added.
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The researchers suggested that including small amounts of animal-sourced foods could help older seniors maintain essential nutrients and avoid the muscle loss often seen in those who stick strictly to plants.
Eliminating all animal protein — particularly in a population that may already experience diminished hunger cues — can make it more difficult to meet adequate protein needs, potentially increasing the risk of nutrient deficiencies. (iStock)
Palinski-Wade offered some guidance for those looking to optimize nutrition later in life.
“For adults in their 80s and beyond, especially anyone losing weight or muscle, the priority should be maintaining a healthy weight and meeting protein and micronutrient needs — even if that means adding or increasing fish, eggs, dairy or well‑planned, fortified plant proteins and supplements.”
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Strict vegan or very low‑protein patterns at that age should be carefully monitored by a dietitian or clinician, with attention to B12, vitamin D, calcium and total protein, according to Palinski-Wade.
“Younger and healthier adults can still confidently use plant‑forward or vegetarian patterns to lower long‑term chronic disease risk,” she added.
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In a dramatic turn of events that’s captured the attention of animal lovers worldwide, Punch — the young macaque at a zoo in Japan famous for his inseparable bond with a stuffed orangutan toy — has reached a major milestone in his journey toward social integration.
On Thursday, visitors and staff at the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden witnessed a breakthrough: Punch was seen cuddling with and hitching a ride on the back of a fellow macaque.
Punch’s story began with hardship. He was abandoned by his mother shortly after his birth in July 2025 — and to ensure his survival, zookeepers stepped in to hand-rear the primate.
On Jan. 19, 2026, the zoo officially began the process of reintegrating Punch into the “monkey mountain” enclosure.
The transition was initially fraught with tension.
Punch’s story began with hardship when he was abandoned by his mother shortly after he was born. To help him, zookeepers gave him a stuffed toy that he began dragging around everywhere he went. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
As a hand-reared infant, Punch was bullied and ignored by the established group of monkeys.
He was often seen huddled alone with his orange plush companion while the rest of the troop interacted.
BABY MONKEY CARRIES FAITHFUL STUFFED COMPANION EVERYWHERE HE GOES, DRAWING CROWDS AT ZOO
In an official statement released Feb. 27, the Ichikawa Zoological and Botanical Garden detailed the meticulous care behind this process.
Previous viral videos showed Punch bullied by the rest of the troop, running to his plushy toy for comfort. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“From an animal welfare perspective, our primary goal is to reintegrate Punch with the troop,” the zoo said.
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The strategy involved nursing Punch within the enclosure, so the troop could recognize him as one of their own, and pairing him with a gentle young female macaque prior to his full release to build his confidence.
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The latest footage, captured by X user @tate_gf, suggested the zoo’s patience is paying off.
The video shows Punch seeking physical contact not from his toy, but from another monkey — eventually climbing onto its back for a vital social behavior for young macaques: the “piggyback ride.”
The zoo’s strategy appears to be paying off: Punch, shown at far left, was recently seen riding on the back of a fellow macaque. (David Mareuil/Anadolu via Getty Images)
While Punch still carries his stuffed toy for comfort during moments of perceived danger, the zoo remains optimistic about his progress.
The organization cited the successful 2009 case of Otome, another hand-reared macaque who eventually outgrew her stuffed toy, successfully integrated — and went on to raise four offspring of her own.
The zoo has had crowds coming to see Punch, with hundreds of people lining up to get inside to see the young star, according to reports.
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“I’m hoping Punch has a good life like everybody else does, and think he’s a cute little guy,” one person commented online.
“Such a precious baby,” another person wrote.
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