What percentage range of residents in long-term care facilities have dementia?

• A. 20-40%
• B. 50-90%
• C. 70-100%
• D. 10-30%

Answer: (B)

Dementia is very common among residents in long-term care facilities. Many sources indicate that roughly half to the majority of residents have some form of dementia, often cited in the range of about 50% up to 90%. This high prevalence reflects the aging population in these facilities and the fact that cognitive decline is a common accompanying condition with aging and other chronic illnesses. The wide range exists because different facilities use different criteria for diagnosing dementia, some include milder cognitive impairment, and population characteristics vary by location. The other options underestimate or overstate reality; 20-40% or 10-30% miss the mark because dementia affects a much larger portion, while 70-100% is unlikely since there are residents without dementia.