gistfile1.php

/*
* If this doenst work then try the below
*/			
echo $this->Form->input('Applicant.date_of_birth', array(
	'type' => 'date',
	'dateFormat' => 'DMY',
	'minYear' => date('Y') - 110,
	'maxYear' => date('Y')- 18,
	)
);

/* This is least prefferred */
echo $this->Form->input('Applicant.date_of_birth', array(
	'type' => 'date',
	'dateFormat' => 'DMY',
	'minYear' => date('Y') - 110,
	'maxYear' => date('Y')- 18,
        'selected' => $applicationData['Applicant']['date_of_birth'],
	)
);

/* this is even worse, but may work*/
echo $this->Form->input('Applicant.date_of_birth', array(
	'type' => 'date',
	'dateFormat' => 'DMY',
	'minYear' => date('Y') - 110,
	'maxYear' => date('Y')- 18,
        'selected' => strtotime($applicationData['Applicant']['date_of_birth']),
	)
);