Depression appears to be common after stroke, and therefore may have a bearing upon rehabilitation. To examine whether the depression is due to a specific brain lesion, or is reactive to the consequent disability, this study looked at the frequency and associations of depressed mood in a stroke rehabilitation unit in-patient population, unselected for site of lesion. Depression affected 50% of the patients; history of previous psychiatric disorder and cerebrovascular accident appeared to be important risk factors. There were hemispheric differences in the relationships between measures, with both the site-of-lesion and reactive viewpoints being upheld.

Hearing impairment and mental disorders are common among residents of nursing homes and homes for the aged; however, the relationship between sensory deficit and psychiatric illness has been little investigated in this population. The prevalence of hearing impairment, psychiatric illness, and co-morbidity was investigated in a sample of 102 elderly residents from consecutive admissions to a home for the aged. Examining the coincidence of these disorders showed evidence of an association between hearing loss and paraphrenia, and hearing loss and dysphoric states, but not between hearing and cognitive impairment. The results of this survey provide only suggestive evidence regarding aetiology, but strongly support conjoint assessment of the elderly.

A comparison of audiometric and interview methods to identify hearing impaired elderly was made as part of a study of the relationship between hearing impairment and mental disorders of old age. Of 84 residents of a Home for the Aged examined by an Otolaryngologist and tested by an audiologist, reports of hearing status were incongruent in 41% of the cases. Only 36 residents (43% of the sample) were initially judged capable of reliable response to interview. Twenty-two residents (26% of the sample) described hearing problems consistent with the type and degree of loss defined audiometrically. The frequency and clinical significance of hearing loss and the questionable reliability of self-report on hearing argue for inclusion of audiometry in the routine assessment of this population.

The Canadian Study of Health and Aging includes 18 centres, and all provinces are represented. The objectives of the study are: to estimate the prevalence of dementias, especially Alzheimer''s disease; to study risk factors for Alzheimer''s disease; to describe patterns of caring and to measure the burden on those who care for people with dementia; and to create a data base for future research. A representative sample of 10,250 Canadians aged 65 or over are recruited, including 9,000 living at home and 1,250 in institutions. Participants are screened for cognitive impairment. Those who are considered to be cognitively impaired (and an equal number who are not) are invited to undergo a clinical examination including a battery of neuropsychological tests. Proxies for the cases and controls complete a risk factor questionnaire; caregivers complete a separate questionnaire. Results of the pilot study are discussed.