Analysis of 144 community-dwelling Chinese older adults (mean age 73.1) revealed that specific items from the AD8 dementia screening tool predict vulnerabilities extending far beyond cognitive decline. Financial management difficulties and executive problems correlated with age and mobility challenges, while repetitive behaviors predicted psychological disorders and hopelessness. Judgment impairments linked to reduced life satisfaction but increased feelings of helplessness. The research identified three distinct cognitive domains through factor analysis: memory impairment, executive decline, and functional recall difficulties, explaining 61.7% of variance in outcomes. These findings suggest the AD8 functions as more than a dementia screen—it appears to capture early indicators of multidomain health decline. This has practical implications for community health programs serving older adults, potentially enabling earlier identification of those at risk for physical frailty, depression, and social isolation. However, the cross-sectional design limits causal interpretations, and the sample was predominantly female (81.3%). As this preprint awaits peer review, the statistical relationships and clinical interpretations require validation. The work represents an incremental but valuable contribution to understanding how cognitive screening tools can inform broader geriatric care strategies.