A Case of Cognitive Impairment Identified During a Community Screening Program

Dementia is a growing public health concern. Early detection of dementia is important for timely intervention. Community-based screening can help bridge diagnostic gaps in settings with low public awareness of dementia. We describe a case of suspected cognitive impairment identified through a community dementia screening initiative in Brunei Darussalam. A female participant presented with multiple risk factors for dementia, including older age, low education, and cardiovascular comorbidities. She reported symptoms of memory loss and disorientation. For the Mini-COG, she recalled 2 out of 3 words and had an abnormal clock drawing test. Based on this, she was classified as having possible cognitive impairment and advised to seek clinical follow-up. This case illustrates the value of brief cognitive screening in community outreach programs. Simple questionnaire-based tools and the Mini-COG administered during public health events may help identify older adults at risk of dementia and facilitate early intervention in underdiagnosed populations.