ABSTRACT
I n most developed countries the average life expectancy is now close to 80 years, with the most rapidly increasing segment comprising those who are more than 80 (Henderson & Jorm 2000). In these countries, a 65-year-old person is expected to live eighteen more years; an 85-year-old person is expected to live five more years (WHO 2001). With these increases, and the strong association between advancing age and the prevalence of dementia, the absolute and relative number of people living with dementia will increase significantly.
