Thinking clearly about two geriatric giants – dementia and delirium

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Older people

Thinking clearly about two geriatric giants – dementia and delirium

Ngaire Kerse

Ngaire Kerse

Heart Brain
When it comes to preventing dementia, what’s good for the heart is good for the brain [Image: Damian Niolet on Pixabay]

Specialist GP Ngaire Kerse discusses recent research in the dementia/delirium field, which highlights the importance of awareness and prevention

Key points, Primary care can work with individuals across the lifespan to reduce the risk of dementia in later life. Culturally safe approaches are needed to ov, Pract Green w Pale Yellow
References

1. Ma’u E, Cullum S, Cheung G, et al. Differences in the potential for dementia prevention between major ethnic groups within one country: A cross sectional analysis of population attributable fraction of potentially modifiable risk factors in New Zealand. Lancet Reg Health West Pac 2021;13:100191.

2. Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A, et al. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission. Lancet 2020;396(10248):413–46.

3. Menzies O, Dudley M, Garrett N, et al. He Tūhononga Whaiaro: A kaupapa Māori approach to mate wareware (dementia) and cognitive assessment of older Māori. J Appl Gerontol 2022;41(4):1066–73.

4. Gibb K, Seeley A, Quinn T, et al. The consistent burden in published estimates of delirium occurrence in medical inpatients over four decades: a systematic review and meta-analysis study. Age Ageing 2020;49(3):352–60.

5. Tsui A, Searle SD, Bowden H, et al. The effect of baseline cognition and delirium on long-term cognitive impairment and mortality: a prospective population-based study. Lancet Healthy Longev 2022;3(4):e232–41.