DEMENTIA
American Psychological Association
Table of Contents
Why Practitioners Need Information
- Population-based research has found that the prevalence of dementia increases dramatically with age, with estimates that 5 to 7 percent of those over age 65 and nearly 30 percent of those over age 85 suffer some form of this disorder. Up to 20 percent of patients have a partially or completely reversible form of dementia.
- The most common types of age-associated dementia are those caused by Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular pathology (most notably vascular dementia--formerly called multi-infarct dementia). Some older adults may have both Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.
- Unlike milder forms of cognitive decline associated with normal aging, the cognitive deficits associated with dementia cause significant impairment in social and occupational functioning.
- People with progressive dementias often evidence coexistent psychological symptoms, which may include depression, anxiety, paranoia, and behavioral disturbances.
- Along with the older adult's need for individual attention, families and caregivers often need help in understanding and coping with the cognitive factors and behavioral problems that accompany dementia.
- Dementia is a risk factor for delirium, and the two often coexist.
- Depression may also be associated with memory complaints and cognitive impairment. Older adults with a major depressive disorder may perform more poorly on some measures of cognitive function than nondepressed older adults. This reversible cognitive impairment has sometimes been called pseudodementia.
