How to care for elderly patients with cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment occurs frequently with ageing, concerning memory complaint, attention and executive dysfunction without any consequence on the activities of daily living. They are strongly linked to the presence of vascular risk factors in adulthood. Nevertheless with the continuous progression of life expectancy, the incidence of dementia drastically increases after sixty-five years of age and the number of old people with dementia is expected to increase by 75% in 2030 in France. Caring for elderly patients with cancer needs to face the possibility of cognitive impairment and its consequences on a good comprehension of diagnosis and treatment and ability to properly take medication. Comprehensive geriatric assessment can help to diagnose cognitive impairment and evaluate the consequences on instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and activities of daily living (ADL). Home care may be organised with the help of the family or social workers. Physiotherapy and speech rehabilitation are often useful. Assistance for housekeeping, shopping and cooking may be financed by social organisations such as APA in France. Complex cases must be referred to case managers in homes for patients suffering for Alzheimer's disease (MAIA) who liaise between doctors and home carers with good results. (C) 2015 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS on behalf of the Societe francaise de radiotherapie oncologique (SFRO).