ADHD occurs in 3–5% of children and adults. Yet little is known about ADHD in elderly.

To review the literature and to present first Dutch epidemiological data on ADHD in elderly (VUmc/LASA and PsyQ).

The study aims to estimate the prevalence of ADHD in eldery and to correlate symptoms of ADHD with comorbidity patterns, cognitive decline and somatic disorders. This knowledge may help predict the future of the current group of adults with ADHD.

The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA) included a selfreport questionnaire for ADHD in 2009 in around 1500 elderly, aged 63–94 years. From those with low, intermediate and high scores, a random sample was interviewed using the DIVA, a structured Diagnostic Interview for ADHD in adults (N = 234).

First data on prevalence of ADHD in elderly in the general Dutch population will be discussed. The long term consequences of the persistence of the disorder in adults and elderly, and the impact for the organisation of treatment of this lifespan disorder will be reviewed.

The continuity of ADHD symptoms and impairment from childhood into to old age, may pose psychiatric services for important questions like the usefulness of separate treatment facilities for different age groups in case of a lifespan disorder like ADHD.