Concerned About Being More Forgetful Than When You Were Younger?

Experts report “at least half of those over age 65 say they are more forgetful than they were when they were younger, experiencing ‘senior moments’ about things like where they put things or recalling somebody’s name.” While several studies show as many as 40 percent of seniors suffer from some level of memory loss, this doesn’t necessarily mean Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. 

Doctors say we need to remember Alzheimer’s is not a normal part of aging, and there are some characteristics which separate age-related memory loss from dementia. One example is forgetting how to program your remote control or operate a piece of machinery after not doing it for a while. They stress this is common and typically not a cause for concern but forgetting how to get home or perform routine tasks may be a sign of a bigger problem. 

Another symptom of Alzheimer’s or other memory loss diseases is forgetting what an object is used for or what it is. Someone with Alzheimer’s can forget they wear glasses or not recognize the glasses as their own. The same goes for forgetting names. A common problem is to forget a person’s name but a more serious problem is to use the wrong word to describe something or to forget the name completely. 

Falls in the elderly can have deadly consequences so it is important to know another symptom of Alzheimer’s is balance problems. Even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, falls can be common and as the disease progresses generally get worse.

However, feeling you are forgetful may be cause for concern according to Dr. Barry Reisberg, director of the Fisher Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Resources Program at New York University Langone Medical Center. In a study in which Dr. Reisberg was involved, the findings showed “seniors with subjective memory complaints are, over many years, 4.5 times more likely to develop mild cognitive impairment or dementia than those who do not have such memory complaints.” Therefore, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any worries you may have.

 

MorningStar at Bear Creek is an assisted living dementia care community in Colorado Springs, CO.   Our holistic care includes meaningful activities, trained caregivers, food service, security and more as well as a physical environment designed to allow residents the freedom to safely explore their surroundings. If your loved one is suffering from Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, we consider it our privilege to walk alongside your family on this challenging journey. Please contact us to learn more.

MorningStar at Bear Creek represents the very best in assisted living dementia care with a distinct mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest”.  With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing seniors and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve, we offer loving, compassionate care within a home-like setting.  Please visit our website for more information about our exceptional community.

Source: alzinfo.org/articles/diagnosis/just-forgetful-or-is-it-dementia/