Will I Get Dementia Too?

Will I Get Dementia Too? The New Blood Tests Revealing Risk and What Families Can Do With the Results
By Ellen Samson — Dementia Speaker

Have you ever wondered whether you might develop dementia someday, especially if a parent or grandparent has it?

For many people, the fear does not come from statistics.
It comes from experience.

You have seen the confusion.
You have seen the decline.
You have seen how caregiving transforms daily life, roles, and relationships.

For years, there was no clear way to know your own risk. Families lived with uncertainty, guessing, hoping, and preparing for the worst. Today, that landscape is beginning to change.

New Alzheimer’s blood tests can detect biological changes years before symptoms appear. These tests are already being used in major healthcare systems, and they are quietly reshaping early detection.

They are not crystal balls.
They are not cures.
But they offer something families have never truly had before:

clarity, direction, and the ability to plan ahead.

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Why People Want to Know Their Risk

Anyone who has cared for a loved one with dementia understands how emotional and overwhelming the journey can be. The questions families ask are grounded in personal experience:

• “Will this happen to me?”

• “Should I find out early?”

• “If I knew, could I better prepare my family?”

Until recently, answers required PET scans, spinal taps, or waiting until symptoms became obvious. Blood tests have changed that reality.

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What These Blood Tests Measure

These tests detect specific biomarkers associated with Alzheimer’s disease, including:

• pTau 217

• pTau 181

• Amyloid beta 42/40 ratio

• Neurofilament light chain

These markers reflect changes happening in the brain long before noticeable memory problems. Research shows some of these tests can reach accuracy levels similar to PET scans.

They do not replace a doctor.
They are tools that open the door to earlier conversations and earlier planning.

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Where These Tests Are Available

AD Detect (Quest Diagnostics)

A consumer-direct test measuring pTau 217, a highly sensitive Alzheimer’s marker.
Order online: https://www.questhealth.com/product/ad-detect

PrecivityAD (C2N Diagnostics)

A physician-ordered test that analyzes the amyloid beta 42/40 ratio and genetic factors. It provides a probability score for Alzheimer’s disease.
More information: https://precivityad.com

Labcorp ATN Profile

A physician-ordered panel that evaluates amyloid, tau, and neurodegeneration. It is commonly used in memory clinics for greater diagnostic clarity.
More information: https://www.labcorp.com/tests/atn

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Who Should Consider Getting Tested

These tests may be useful for adults who are:

• Noticing mild memory changes

• Worried because of family history

• Experiencing early onset symptoms

• Seeking diagnostic direction

• Unable to access PET scans

• Preparing for long-term planning and decision-making

They can also assist physicians who want additional data before making a formal diagnosis.

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What These Tests Do Not Tell You

A blood test cannot tell you:

• When symptoms will begin

• How quickly the disease will progress

• What daily care will look like

A positive biomarker result answers one question:

“Is Alzheimer’s biology present?”

Everything that follows requires thoughtful guidance, including:

• Safety changes at home

• Division of responsibilities

• Support for caregivers

• Management of routines and behaviors

• Financial and legal planning

• Ways to maintain connection and quality of life

Many families receive a diagnosis and are left feeling overwhelmed. This is the gap that must be filled.

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Why Every Family Needs a Care Roadmap

A diagnosis is only the beginning.
The caregiving journey is where the real challenges emerge.

As a Geriatric Care Manager and Family Dynamics Coach, I help families:

• Identify the true stage of dementia

• Anticipate the next 6 to 12 months

• Build routines that protect the caregiver’s health

• Strengthen communication within the family

• Reduce crises and avoid unnecessary hospitalizations

• Improve the patient’s daily quality of life

No two families are the same.
No two progressions follow the same path.

A generic plan cannot meet the real needs of a family facing dementia.

A personalized roadmap brings stability, clarity, and a sense of control at a time when everything feels uncertain.

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Final Thoughts

Alzheimer’s blood tests are one of the most meaningful breakthroughs in early detection. They give families something priceless: time.

Time to plan.
Time to prepare.
Time to protect what matters most.

Knowledge is the first step.
Planning is the second.

If you are considering biomarker testing or you already have results and need guidance on what comes next, you can schedule a Care Roadmapping Session at ellensamson.com.

Together, we can create a plan that supports your loved one while protecting the health, stability, and well-being of your entire family.