ABSTRACT
One person guesses that almost everyone suffers from dementia, another guesses that dementia is a rarity. For diverse reasons, it is very difficult to determine exactly how many persons in the UK at the present time have dementia. In the UK at the present time, about 15 per cent of the population is over the age of 65. Specific questions and their answers only provide a very general insight into the ideas and perceptions about old age. Perception is subjective; preconceptions and feelings play a large role in their formation. The perception about old age is influenced by our own contacts with people over the age of 65. The environment in which you live can influence perception and image formation. Your own family plays a large part in one's perception of old age. 'Greying' refers to the expectation that the numbers of persons over the age of 65 will increase, whilst the numbers of younger persons will stagnate or decrease.
