Table 1.

Characteristics of the Study Population, by Dementia Severity (N = 7,443)

	Weighted Percentage*
Variable	Normal Cognition (n = 6,639)	Mild Dementia (n = 345)	Moderate Dementia (n = 212)	Severe Dementia (n = 247)
Age, y†
70–79	70	46	44	36
80–89	27	47	41	42
≥90	3	7	15	22
Race†
White	89	70	72	72
African American	9	25	24	25
Other	2	5	3	4
Gender
Male	38	41	45	35
Female	62	59	55	65
Education, y†
<12	40	73	74	63
12	32	16	17	23
≥13	28	11	9	14
Net worth, $†
<38,000	28	51	50	60
38,000–139,000	34	33	29	23
>139,000	38	16	21	17
Potential caregiver network
Spouse present†	50	44	44	40
Living child	90	91	87	89
ADLs impaired, n†
0	74	50	36	20
1–3	22	33	41	31
4–6	4	17	23	48
IADLs impaired, n†
0	75	39	21	8
1–3	24	51	54	28
4–5	2	10	25	64
Chronic conditions
Stroke†	9	18	19	37
Diabetes†	12	14	16	14
Heart disease†	31	32	40	34
Hypertension	50	48	46	54
Lung disease	12	13	10	10
Cancer	14	12	11	12
Psychiatric problem†	10	10	20	16
Arthritis†	25	29	38	18
Respondent type†
Self	94	71	44	18
Proxy	6	29	56	82

^*Weighted percentage derived using the Asset and Health Dynamics (AHEAD) Study respondent population weights to adjust for the complex sampling design of the AHEAD survey.

^†P < .05 by the χ²test for a significant association between the indicated variable and dementia category.

ADLs, activities of daily living; IADLs, instrumental activities of daily living.