Death Cert. Query

[Wilf]

I have just received my GGGrandmother's death cert.

She died in 1917 aged 92.
The cause of death is stated as senile decay.

I'm unsure of what this means, is it dementia or general old age??
Anyone come across this before?

Allie

[Helen Smith Too]

I've a few with that on, Allie, although they are generally in the 1850s-1880s. I think its just old age generally and not what we would consider as dementia or Alzheimers today.

[Wilf]

Thanks for that Helen

Allie

[kylejustin]

my fifth great grandmother died from 'senile decay' in 1903. she was 90.
i think it just means general old age. at 90 your brain wouldnt be functioning properly, and there would probably be other health concerns. this ancestor had pneumonia as well, but i don't think english certs mention other ailments people were suffering from at the time of their demise.

[Little Nell]

It means, as with most death certs that the doctor doesn't know!!!

I think its general old age, which isn't really a reason.

[Anne in Carlisle]

I agree 'senile decal' = old age. But tbh - by the time you get to 90 to die of 'old age' is good!

I hate looking at modern death certificates for very aged people :(. The list of several horrible causes of death seems to overlook the fact the the person was obviously pretty healthy for most of their 90+ years. We all have to go sometime and 'old age' seems good to me.

Anne