DISABILITY AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT IN THE ELDERLY

Disability and cognitive impairment show similar patterns of increasin g frequency with ageing. A review of the published literature shows th at there is a cross-sectional relationship between cognitive impairmen t and disability, independent of demographic, medical, and lifestyle f actors. Some instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) items appe ar more specifically related to cognitive impairment, but cognition an d functional impairment are distinct concepts requiring separate asses sments. Subjects with low cognitive performances are at higher risk of functional impairment in the following years. Cognitive impairment as well as disability increase the risk of death and institutionalizatio n. Preventive strategies could be directed against the risk factors of cognitive impairment and disability, and would aim to delay the onset of dementia. Prevention of disability associated with cognitive impai rment needs further assessment in elderly community-dwellers. Further research is needed to better identify the specific areas of cognition involved in the disablement process.