Older adults with dementia but without close family: Who are they? And who cares for them?

More than eight per cent of study subjects were 'kinless' at the time of their dementia diagnosis. (Shutterstock)

What happens to older adults who do not have close family when they develop dementia? The truth is, we hardly know.

Population aging together with changing patterns of marriage and childrearing mean that growing numbers of people in North America reach advanced ages without a living spouse or children. This matters because the incidence of dementia increases with age, and considerable support and care are needed to live well as the condition progresses. The vast majority of this care is provided by spouses and children.