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Psych 172: Developmental Psychology (Bobola)
10: Late Adulthood
10.9: Abnormal Loss of Cognitive Functioning During Late Adulthood (Ob14, Ob15)

10.9: Abnormal Loss of Cognitive Functioning During Late Adulthood (Ob14, Ob15)

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Dementia refers to severely impaired judgment, memory or problem‐solving ability. It can occur before old age and is not an inevitable development even among the very old. Dementia can be caused by numerous diseases and circumstances, all of which result in similar general symptoms of impaired judgment, etc. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is incurable. But there are also nonorganic causes of dementia that can be prevented. Malnutrition, alcoholism, depression, and mixing medications can result in symptoms of dementia. If these causes are properly identified, they can be treated. Cerebral vascular disease can also reduce cognitive functioning.

Delirium is a sudden experience of confusion experienced by some older adults. Read the article and listen to the story found at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=111623212 for more information on treating delirium and the possible links between delirium and Alzheimer's Disease.