Difference Between Age-Related Memory Problems And Dementia In Seniors

There may have been incidences where you have misplaced the car keys, forgotten to reply to an email, or simply forgotten about purpose of your visit to a grocery store in terms of the things you had visited the store for to purchase. Forgetfulness is common, and with age subtle changes in memory occur naturally as part of the aging process. But there is a point when forgetfulness is more worrisome to the extent that it can prevent us from performing daily tasks and our accustomed roles in life, which then would require further evaluation by medical professionals.

According to doctors, certain changes in our memory our perfectly normal as we grow older, which might as well be due to a medication side effect or combinations of medications or an existing or developing health problem like anxiety, depression, heart disease, etc., head injury, thyroid disease, infections in the brain, blood clots, dehydration, or vitamin deficiency. Identifying and treating the condition can improve your memory in this regard.

A few of the examples of age-related forgetfulness include

1.      Misplacing everyday items, such as car keys, glasses, etc.

2.      Becoming easily distracted while reading something or in the middle of a conversation.

3.      Forgetting to attend an appointment that had been fixed way in advance.

4.      You drive to the grocery store, purchase stuff, and can’t remember exactly where you parked your car.

5.      You meet someone at a party, but can’t seem to remember their name 10 minutes later.

6.      Accidentally mixing up names of family members, or calling someone by the wrong name.

Our brain changes as we age, it’s inevitable. But having major memory problems is not an expected part of normal aging. This is where you need to understand whether the signs and symptoms are a result of age-related memory loss or signalling dementia. For example, forgetting where you put your glasses is a simple sign of forgetfulness or normal aging, you might realize they’re propped on top of your head, however, forgetting what your glasses are used for or that they are worn on your face are considered more serious and should be reported to the doctor.

Signs and symptoms indicating possible dementia:

The symptoms of dementia go beyond memory loss and tend to vary. Your loved one may find it difficult to communicate, focus, reason and more. Examples include

1.      Difficulty solving problems, for example, taking care of monthly bills become more difficult (increased trouble with managing finances).

2.      Confusion about time or location, or feeling confused more often than usual.

3.      Issues completing day-to-day tasks, such as dressing up, brushing, driving, etc.

4.      Inability to engage in conversation (spoken or written).

5.      Poor judgment making.

6.      Change in personality.

If you're concerned about your senior loved one’s overall well-being, schedule an appointment with the doctor without further delay. He or she is the best person to tell you exactly what your loved one is going through and if there's any progression in memory loss.

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or another dementia is the key for seniors and families to plan ahead, which can ensure the best possible quality of life, even as a senior’s condition progresses.

For Anthem assisted living care and support, book a suite at Senior Sanctuary of Anthem in Phoenix, AZ. Call today on 602.909.9550 for a private tour. We follow the American Heart Association guidelines regarding best disinfecting practices to mitigate the risks of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.