Rutgers Study Flags Dementia Surge Among Newark’s Low-Income Black Seniors

Rutgers-Newark screened 160 Black seniors in Newark-area housing and found about two-thirds had memory decline more severe than typical for their age, with nearly half of those showing signs of dementia. The 15-minute screenings, part of Pathways to Healthy Aging in African Americans, aim to detect decline early and refer residents to care. The findings underscore a substantial, underserved need for dementia services among low-income Black residents in New Jersey, while highlighting ongoing barriers like labor-intensive care and limited reimbursement despite local resources and state subsidies for adult day care.