Family medicine physicians are frequently the first to recognize early signs of cognitive decline, as well as the ones who must navigate the difficult conversations with patients and caregivers that follow. Recognizing those signs early and responding with the right tools and language can meaningfully change a patient's trajectory. Cognitive health spans the entire lifespan, from prevention and early recognition in midlife to the management of complex neurodegenerative conditions later in life.
That's why ACOFP, with support from Eli Lilly & Co., is launching a comprehensive cognitive care program to educate family physicians throughout 2026.
Lynn M. Wilson, DO, FACOFP, FAAFP, AGSF, DipABLM, is an active ACOFP member and leader with a background in older adult care, specializing in geriatric disorders like dementia.
"Cognitive care intervention frequently occurs too late — after a patient reaches a point when they can no longer reasonably care for themselves or make decisions,” said Dr. Wilson. “The reluctance to have these conversations is understandable, but delay has real consequences. An early diagnosis opens doors that a late one cannot: the opportunity to explore lifestyle interventions, discuss emerging treatment options, and ensure patients can still speak for themselves about the care they want."
The State of Cognitive Care
The scope of the challenge is significant and growing.
Worldwide, there are 57 million people with dementia, according to the World Health Organization, with nearly 10 million new cases each year. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of cases. Research shared by the Center for Disease Control highlights that 4% of Americans over 65 have received a dementia diagnosis, while about 200,000 Americans aged 30-64 have younger onset dementia, per the Alzheimer's Association.
A report from the National Institute on Aging notes that while Alzheimer’s is the most common dementia diagnosis, related dementias—such as frontotemporal disorders, Lewy body dementia (LBD) and vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia—share many cognitive symptoms and brain changes that can make it difficult to distinguish and differentially diagnose.
It’s not only about patient diagnosis. The 2025 Facts and Figures by the Alzheimer’s Association found another 12 million people provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias.
Dementia diagnosis and care are already a primary care issue. More than half of family physicians report that dementia specialist shortages in their communities leave patients without adequate referral options, placing early detection and care coordination squarely in the family medicine setting.
The good news is that patients are ready for this conversation. The same Alzheimer’s Association report found nearly 4 in 5 Americans would want to know they have Alzheimer's before symptoms interfere with their daily lives, and an overwhelming majority say they would pursue treatment options to slow progression if given the chance. They just need a physician who feels equipped to take that step with them.
Bridging the disconnect between patient readiness and physician preparedness is exactly what this program is built to address.
Program Materials
Beginning at Convention and continuing through the summer, ACOFP will release a suite of resources developed for both physicians and their patients. Here are just a few things to expect:
- Blog series: An ongoing collection of interviews and perspectives from family physicians, caregivers, pharmacology experts, and association leaders, including the Alzheimer's Association. Each installment will tackle a different dimension of cognitive care as it plays out in primary practice.
- Small Doses, a micro-learning video series: Four videos, each under five minutes, covering high-priority topics in cognitive care. Each episode will be accompanied by links to additional learning opportunities for those who want to go deeper.
- Caregiver handout: A resource designed to be shared directly with patients and families. This practical, not clinical, handout acknowledges the weight of caregiving without overwhelming the reader.
- Clinical Companion Guide: A physician-facing tool to structure conversations with patients and provide resources for compassionate, informed care.
Live Session at Convention
Attendees at the ACOFP Annual Convention in Orlando can attend “Cognitive Care Across the Lifespan: Practical Insights for Primary Care Clinicians.” The session will cover cognitive care at every stage, from maintaining brain health and recognizing early changes in midlife, to supporting patients with advanced neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's or other dementias.
A panel encompassing a wide range of perspectives—steopathic family physicians, a representative from the Alzheimer's Association, a physician from Eli Lilly & Co.’s Medical Affairs team, and a caregiver—will provide attendees with tools, resources, and new ways of thinking about cognitive care treatment.
Empowering Family Physicians
Cognitive decline affects a significant and growing share of patients in family medicine practices, and for millions of patients, a family medicine physician will be the difference between a timely diagnosis and a missed one. This program is designed to meet physicians where they are by offering resources that are evidence-informed, practical, and built for the busy realities of primary care.
