Survivorship and senile dementia.

It has been suggested that those having senile dementia are now living longer. To re-examine this suggestion a study was undertaken of those with senile dementia who had died in a home for the aged during a 10-year period. The results suggested that no change in survivorship was occurring. In general, 50% were dead after two years and 70% after four years. Sex, age on admission and year of admission had no bearing on the findings. Any comparison of survivorship for senile dementia between different periods of time and countries should be carefully qualified.