demented vs dementia

[flyingchange]

Just curious. I had my second clinical yesterday and my task was to sort-of take a health history. My pt was an elderly woman who had dementia. She's the first person that I've ever met who had dementia for real. It was quite a conversation!

Anyway I tried to ask in class today what terminology was appropriate because I see/hear both sides (and it sure is a mouthful saying "elderly woman with dementia" vs "elderly demented woman") and I just received a blank stare from the prof.

So which is right? Are they both right? Is 'demented' derogatory?

Thanks guys :)

[sh1901]

I don't really know the answer to this, but am very curious if someone does because my first patient is an elderly man who has dementia.

I hope someone can clarify!!

[lemonaidangel]

I tend to think of demented in a derogatory manner. It is a term that people use to insult each other, and basically it means they are insane idiots. Dementia, however, refers to someone having a disease. They aren't crazy, they are sick. You see what I mean?

According to dictionary.com:

demented: crazy; insane; mad;

dementia: severe impairment or loss of intellectual capacity and personality integration, due to the loss of or damage to neurons in the brain.