Treatable aspects of the dementia syndrome.

With attentive medical management, the elderly demented patient can live in greater comfort, dignity and independence. Errors in supervision can result in a drug intoxication, misdiagnoses, and personal neglect. Many of the elderly have a chronic dementing illness, and disability often is accelerated by complications. However, some of these complications are treatable. Case histories are presented to illustrate pitfalls in the care of such patients.