Using Banking Data to Detect Early Signs of Cognitive Decline in Older Adults

Recent research has demonstrated that routine financial behaviors, as captured through banking transactions, can serve as early indicators of cognitive decline in elderly populations. A comprehensive study analyzed anonymized banking records from over 66,000 individuals, comparing those who registered for power of attorney due to mental capacity loss with a matched control group. The findings reveal that subtle changes in financial habits—such as decreased spending on travel and leisure activities, higher household bills, fewer online banking interactions, and increased requests for PIN resets—appear years before formal capacity assessments indicate decline.

Professor John Gathergood from the University of Nottingham stated that this evidence signifies the potential of financial institutions' data to identify early signs of cognitive impairments like dementia. These behavioral patterns, including reduced engagement in self-care and social activities, combined with increased financial errors and heightened vulnerability to fraud, suggest that decline in financial activity correlates with early stages of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

The study highlights that early detection through banking data could lead to timely interventions, potentially slowing disease progression. It also emphasizes the importance of integrating financial data with health and social care systems, always prioritizing data privacy and security. Awareness campaigns and increased access to Power of Attorney registration could further protect vulnerable individuals.

Overall, this research underscores how behavioral analytics from financial services can become a valuable tool in the early diagnosis process, enabling better support and safeguarding for at-risk older adults.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-banking-reveals-early-cognitive-decline.html