As we have learned more about dementia over the last few decades, most of the news has not been good. We have heard that dementia is playing a larger role in our elders’ lives, mostly because they are living longer than ever before. And while we are gaining insights into the medical causes and effects of dementia, there is still no cure.

However, a recent study published in the medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine shows a decline in the prevalence of dementia in elders. In addition, the study shows that elders are exhibiting symptoms of dementia at older ages than before. Interestingly, the study also shows that later onset of dementia is correlated with higher levels of education.

This is great news for our elders. It appears to show that our society is better controlling the things that put our elders at risk of dementia – even though we don’t fully understand the many types of dementia.

See Gina Kolata, U.S. Dementia Rates Are Dropping Even as Population Ages, N.Y. Times, November 21, 2016.

Special thanks to the Wills, Trusts & Estates Prof Blog for posting this article.