G iven the increase in the aging population, the prevention of cognitive decline in healthy older adults deserves close attention. Mild cognitive impairment affects 10%-25% of people over the age of 70 years.1 Mild cognitive impairment involves cognitive decline beyond that normally expected in a person of the same age with preservation of function. Dementia is defined as cognitive decline in one of several cognitive domains, along with difficulty in functional abilities. The annual rate of conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia is about 10%. 2Given this rate, in combination with the aging population, it is estimated that the prevalence of dementia will double to more than 1 million Canadians over the next 25 years.

Osteoporosis is a medical condition that is seen commonly in elderly patients, and it is associated with a large burden of morbidity and mortality. This article provides a practical approach to the workup and management of osteoporosis in patients 65 years or older.