Which statement best describes the prevalence of mental disorders among elderly residents?

Which statement best describes the prevalence of mental disorders among elderly residents?

• A. In community-dwelling elders, prevalence is typically over 80%.
• B. In nursing homes, prevalence is over 80% (mostly dementia)
• C. Anxiety is the most common disorder in all elderly
• D. Depression is never present in nursing homes

Answer: (B)

In nursing homes the burden of mental disorders is very high because cognitive impairment, especially dementia, dominates this setting. Many residents have dementia, and along with it come neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, depression, and anxiety, which collectively push the prevalence of any mental disorder well above other groups. That combination—high dementia prevalence plus associated neuropsychiatric symptoms—often yields figures cited as over 80%. This contrasts with community-dwelling elders, where rates of mental disorders are lower and dementia is less uniformly present. Anxiety does occur, and depression is seen in older adults, but neither is universal in all residents, and saying depression is never present in nursing homes is incorrect. Thus, the statement about prevalence in nursing homes best reflects the reality of this environment.

In nursing homes the burden of mental disorders is very high because cognitive impairment, especially dementia, dominates this setting. Many residents have dementia, and along with it come neuropsychiatric symptoms such as agitation, depression, and anxiety, which collectively push the prevalence of any mental disorder well above other groups. That combination—high dementia prevalence plus associated neuropsychiatric symptoms—often yields figures cited as over 80%.

This contrasts with community-dwelling elders, where rates of mental disorders are lower and dementia is less uniformly present. Anxiety does occur, and depression is seen in older adults, but neither is universal in all residents, and saying depression is never present in nursing homes is incorrect. Thus, the statement about prevalence in nursing homes best reflects the reality of this environment.