Dignifying dementia: Accepting the limitations of medications

Abstract

Persons older than 65 years numbered 39.6 million in 2009 representing 12.9% of the U.S. population. There will be roughly 72 million older persons by 2030, more than twice their number in 2000. Babyboomers entered this category in 2011 largely accounting for this increase in the older population. This growth will have wideranging implications for the country including in health care management. Treatment of dementia has become a higher priority in the last 10 years as the risks compound with the aging population. Along with the aging population and better recognition of dementia, the prevalence of dementia has grown in this decade and is expected to climb between 8 and 13 million by 2050.