China to screen elderly communities for Alzheimer's disease

BEIJING — Chinese health authorities will screen elderly communities for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and provide interventions that may prevent or slow the progression of the disease.

Community-level healthcare institutions will conduct cognitive-function assessments on the elderly within their jurisdictions, while nursing homes will carry out assessments on their own residents, according to a plan issued by the National Health Commission.

Those who are suspected of AD will be advised to seek medical attention at higher-level hospitals, according to the plan, with the screening due to cover 80 percent of the elderly aged 65 and above in every residential community and village.

The plan also requires treatment for AD patients at community-level healthcare institutions with the help of medical consortiums.