Sensory aging, cognitive decline and quality of life in elderly people with dementia

Abstract

This review aims to understand how sensory aging interacts with cognitive decline and quality of life in elderly people with dementia. It was conducted between December 2011 and March 2012 through a search of online databases using keywords. During the review, evidence was found that sensory aging is negatively associated with quality of life. There is also evidence that the neurodegenerative process of dementia contributes to greater loss of sensory functions related to hearing, vision and gait. Sensory loss also appears to contribute to increased overall severity of Alzheimer’s dementia.