: a usually progressive condition (such as Alzheimer's disease) marked by the development of multiple cognitive deficits (such as memory impairment, aphasia, and the inability to plan and initiate complex behavior)
… dementia is diagnosed only when both memory and another cognitive function are each affected severely enough to interfere with a person's ability to carry out routine daily activities.The Journal of the American Medical Association
This patient suffers from dementia. a new study on age-related dementias
Recent Examples on the WebThe vendor expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. includes 30 companies offering information on their products, services and support for families dealing with dementia. Linda Mcintosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2022 Milwaukee police are looking for a missing 62-year-old man with dementia. Sophie Carson, Journal Sentinel, 4 Sep. 2022 Residents served cleaning liquid at senior center, woman with dementia dies. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 31 Aug. 2022 But what about agitation and combative conduct in elders with dementia? Carolyn Rosenblatt, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Adults over the age of 65 had a 1.2% increase in the risk of being diagnosed with dementia, the study said. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 18 Aug. 2022 Today, people with dementia still don’t have great treatment options. Elenee Argentinis, STAT, 12 Aug. 2022 Her daughter, Alice Carrière, said that while Ms. Bartlett had struggled with dementia, the cause of death was acute myeloid leukemia, diagnosed in early July.New York Times, 4 Aug. 2022 Nichols suffered a mild stroke in 2015 and was diagnosed with dementia in 2018. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 31 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Latin dēmentia "derangement, insanity, folly," noun derivative of Latin dēment-, dēmens "out of one's mind, frenzied, insane," from dē-de- + -ment, -mens, adjective derivative of ment-, mens "power of reason, mental balance, mind" — more at mind entry 1