ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the epidemiology of psychosis in later life before providing a summary of the clinical features, assessment and management of the most common conditions, giving rise to psychotic symptoms in older age. Psychosis in vascular dementia has been less studied with some suggesting a similar prevalence to AD (Alzheimer's disease). While other reports lower prevalence. Estimates of the point prevalence of psychotic symptoms in frontotemporal dementia (FTD) are lower than AD. Sensory impairment, dementia severity and type are among the most robust associations. Historically, terminology of later-onset schizophrenia confusing but recently classified into two broad groups based on timing of onset: late-onset schizophrenia and very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis. Psychosis in the elderly is relatively common and occurs mainly in the context of dementia, mood disorders and delirium although, the result of various other neuropsychiatic conditions that discussed elsewhere.
