Cognitive assessment of older people

Cognitive assessment involves examination of higher cortical functions, particularly memory, attention, orientation, language, executive function (planning activities), and praxis (sequencing of activities). This article will focus on cognitive assessment of older people (those aged over about 65 years) in the context of possible dementia, delirium, and depression. These are common and serious clinical syndromes affecting older people, and accurate cognitive assessment is an essential component for diagnosis. Dementia affects 20% of people aged over 80 years,1 and delirium may affect 30-50% of older people in hospitals and an estimated 16% in long term care facilities.2 The annual incidence of major depression in the general older population is about 15% a year and doubles after age 70.3