senile dementia
noun
: dementia of old age especially of the degenerative type associated with Alzheimer's disease
Note: Though still sometimes used in medical contexts, this term is now often avoided due to its negative implication that dementia is part of the normal aging process.
Examples of senile dementia in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
An investigation found that Batt befriended Lineman, who had senile dementia and required a live-in aide to help her with all daily activities, according to the district attorney’s office.
—
Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Patients with vascular dementia had the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 — with odds more than three times higher — followed by patients with presenile dementia, senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic dementia.
—Julie Washington, cleveland, 3 Mar. 2021
Many suffered from senile dementia or other debilitating conditions, and the intent was to protect them from injury in accidental falls.
—Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2020
In a 1907 paper, Fischer described neuritic plaques that were present in the brains of 12 senile dementia patients, compared to the single case study Alzheimer published that same year.
—Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, 17 Dec. 2019
Six years ago, Lederman was diagnosed with senile dementia.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2018
While struggling to find the right English, Conte described the 54-year-old as 'demenza senile', which translates to senile dementia.
—SI.com, 6 Jan. 2018
Age and Memory: The hippocampus plays an important role in memory and is one of the brain regions most affected by senile dementia.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 June 2017
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Lesley Cosme Torres, People.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Patients with vascular dementia had the highest risk of contracting COVID-19 — with odds more than three times higher — followed by patients with presenile dementia, senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and post-traumatic dementia.
—Julie Washington, cleveland, 3 Mar. 2021
Many suffered from senile dementia or other debilitating conditions, and the intent was to protect them from injury in accidental falls.
—Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2020
In a 1907 paper, Fischer described neuritic plaques that were present in the brains of 12 senile dementia patients, compared to the single case study Alzheimer published that same year.
—Lauren Caruba, ExpressNews.com, 17 Dec. 2019
Six years ago, Lederman was diagnosed with senile dementia.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2018
While struggling to find the right English, Conte described the 54-year-old as 'demenza senile', which translates to senile dementia.
—SI.com, 6 Jan. 2018
Age and Memory: The hippocampus plays an important role in memory and is one of the brain regions most affected by senile dementia.
—IEEE Spectrum, 21 June 2017
Cite this Entry
“Senile dementia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/senile%20dementia. Accessed 10 Nov. 2025.
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