Dementia is a non-specific syndrome that severely affects memory, language, complex motor skills, and other intellectual abilities seriously enough to interfere with daily life. Although dementia is much more common in the geriatric population (approximately 5 percent of those over 65 are said to be affected), it can occur in the younger population, in which case it is termed "early onset dementia."

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia among the geriatric population, accounting for 50 to 80 percent of dementia cases. It is a progressive and irreversible disease where memory and cognitive abilities are slowly destroyed making it impossible to carry out even simple, daily tasks. Alzheimer's disease typically manifests after the age of 60. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Alzheimer's disease is the fifth leading cause of death among adults aged 65 and older. The Alzheimer's Association notes that the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease is estimated to reach 7.1 million by 2025—a 40 percent increase from the estimated 5 million age 65 and older currently affected by the disease. Medicare costs for those with Alzheimer's and other dementias are estimated to be $107 billion dollars in 2013.