The underlying cause of cognitive impairment in older people can be difficult to define and requires careful assessment reports David Pountney

Dementia, delirium and depression are the three most prevalent psychiatric disorders in older people. Two thirds of NHS beds are occupied by people aged 65 years and older, and up to 60 per cent of general hospital admissions in this age group will have, or develop, a mental health disorder during their stay (Let’s Respect 2006). While all three conditions are not synonymous with ageing, incidence increases sharply with age. And as the population gets older, nurses are increasingly coming into contact with more people with the symptoms of cognitive impairment.