Are You Having Memory Problems?

Experts say typically an individual’s memory problems start slowly and are initially only known to them. Dr. Martin Albers, assistant professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School, calls this stage “subjective cognitive decline, where the person senses that they’re having some cognitive issues with short-term memory and word-finding, particularly with proper names.” Other early signs include visual perception problems like confusing words or reversing numbers but are typically easy to work around and to live pretty normally.  

When memory loss is caused by Alzheimer’s or another dementia-related disease, symptoms get progressively worse. Dr. Albers says it is important to be medically screened and your first visit should be with your primary healthcare provider. They can assess you both physically and mentally including doing a complete medical history, family history, social history, current medication list and a review of any loss of abilities with day-to-day activities. 

You may be given a cognitive exam like SAGE (self-administered gerocognitive exam) or the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment). Blood tests typically include cholesterol, B12 and other markers to indicate how well your liver and thyroid are functioning as well as a CT scan or an MRI.

While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, it is important to remember there are other things that may be causing memory problems such as strokes, heart, liver or kidney disease; diabetes and medications. Once a problem is identified, experts say the best doctors to add to your medical team are those with a special interest in cognitive disorders such as geriatricians or neurologists. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides a list of clinical trials that may offer some alternative options for treatment. 

At MorningStar at Bear Creek, our entire community is devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.  Our holistic care is individualized for each resident and designed to stimulate or calm in response to a particular mood or situation.  Each day is filled with activities that incorporate music, dance, art, aromatherapy, or animals to heal and comfort residents.  Please visit our website to learn more about compassionate, loving memory care in Colorado Springs.

MorningStar is guided by a culture rooted in our mission of honoring God, valuing seniors, and investing in our team, which allows us to deliver services with warmth, sincerity and depth of purpose. We have built a reputation for creating homes filled with an atmosphere of love and community. Please contact us to learn more about the finest memory care Colorado Springs offers.

Source:

health.usnews.com/health-care/patient-advice/which-doctor-should-i-see-for-dementia-and-cognitive-decline