Do you have a loved one who seems to be experiencing forgetfulness more than usual? When it comes to aging and memory loss, what’s normal? If you had to, would you recognize serious problems’ signs and symptoms?
Let’s take a look at aging and memory loss in an effort to better understand what can be expected, the older your loved one gets. We’ll try to define – for older individuals in general – what’s worrisome and what may not be. Naturally, everyone’s a little different. But there are some one-size-fits-all things to watch for that could hint at dementia or Alzheimer’s in their early stages.
Aging And Memory Loss
Few of us have never forgotten a phone number, blanked on someone’s name, or misplaced our keys. These types of lapses don’t attract much attention when you’re young. But you might worry about their meaning as you grow older. You might forget the name of a familiar street. Maybe you can’t remember the title of a movie you just saw. You’re standing in the kitchen and, for the life of you, you don’t know why you’re there. Frustration is a common reaction to memory lapses. More times than not, being overly concerned about them just breeds anxiety. Dementia/Alzheimer’s and normal changes related to memory are not one and the same.
Age-Related Memory Loss – Three Causes
The following cause memory loss as you age:
- Decreased blood flow to the brain is experienced by older individuals. This can lead to cognitive skills changes and impaired memory.
- Proteins and hormones that stimulate neural growth and repair and protect brain cells decline with age.
- Another thing that deteriorates with age is a brain region involved in the retrieval/formation of memories – the hippocampus.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s Symptoms – What Probably Doesn’t Qualify?
If you experience the following, rather than considering them dementia warning signs, they could be normal memory lapses that go along with aging:
- Something feels like it’s on the tip of your tongue, but you can’t quite retrieve it.
- You have difficulty remembering conversation details or what you just read. You feel easily distracted.
- You enter a room and forget why you’re there or you forget appointments.
- You forget friends’ names or substitute others in their place.
- You put your keys, glasses, etc. down and you can’t remember where you left them.
Dementia or Alzheimer’s Symptoms – What Probably Does Qualify?
Your loved one may be in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s if the following occur:
- Unexplainable changes in personality and mood.
- Withdrawal from social activities or work.
- Poor or decreased judgment.
- They can’t retrace their steps and they are misplacing things on a frequent, troublesome basis.
- Fresh problems with words – writing or speaking.
- Difficulty understanding spatial relationships and visual images.
- Extreme confusion with places or time.
- The completion of some familiar tasks becomes difficult.
- Challenges in problem-solving or planning.
- Their daily life is extremely disrupted by recurring memory loss.
Check Out Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley for Your Loved One With Alzheimer’s/Dementia
For individuals with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other memory-related issues, we, at Rittenhouse Village At Lehigh Valley, offer a program of care that is uniquely exclusive. With SHINE Memory Care, we use proven data to scientifically devise methods that facilitate engagement and comprehension in your loved one.
Contact us at 484.212.6577 to find out how your loved one can benefit from our memory care program. Better yet, use our convenient online form to schedule a tour or ask questions.
