Dementation is a medical term that refers to the state of being mentally impaired, particularly with regards to cognitive ability. There are several other words that can be used interchangeably with dementation, including dementia, cognitive decline, mental deterioration, and senility. All of these words convey the same idea of a decline in cognitive function, which can manifest in a variety of ways, such as memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and difficulty with abstract thinking. While dementation is typically associated with advanced age, it can also occur as a result of brain injury or disease, and can affect individuals of any age.