You lost your car keys twice last week, or you forgot what you needed when you walked into the living room. Are you just having a senior moment, or could it be the beginning of a more serious memory problem?
Experiencing mild forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. As you get older, you may notice that you forget to do a routine task, lose certain items from time to time, or take longer to learn a new skill. Additionally, language skills can be mildly impacted as we age, so you might find yourself mispronouncing words, using the wrong words when describing something or forgetting certain words in the moment.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability that is severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia is an umbrella term that includes Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases, and vascular dementia, which occurs after a stroke.
Those with dementia can no longer pay bills, manage medications, cook, or perform other tasks they were once able to do. These symptoms generally start gradually and worsen over time.
Although our memory may decline as we age, it doesn’t mean you will get dementia. However, there are some risk factors that may make you more predisposed to developing dementia.
There are several common myths about things that can cause dementia, such as drinking out of aluminum cans, consuming aspartame, metal tooth fillings, and getting a flu shot. None of these things has been found to cause memory loss. In fact, it’s incredibly important for seniors to get their flu shot every year to help protect against serious illness.
Unfortunately, there is no magic pill that can prevent dementia. There are many advertisements for prescription drugs as well as over-the-counter supplements that claim to improve memory function, but more research is needed on ways to prevent dementia from occurring. Some prescription medications can be moderately effective at slowing the progression of dementia, but there is currently no cure for the disease. However, there are some things you can do to help keep your memory intact:
It’s important to note that normal memory loss should not seriously impact your day-to-day life. Even if you forget something, you should be able to remember it later or after being prompted. If you feel as though you’re living in a fog, forgetting important things like your name or address, or having trouble taking care of your personal hygiene and responsibilities, that may be a sign of a more serious cognitive issue.
If you’re worried about your memory or the memory of a loved one, your provider can do an in-office screening test to measure cognitive impairment. If dementia is detected during the mild stage, it will allow your provider to monitor its progression and prescribe medication where appropriate. Early diagnosis also allows patients and family members to plan for the medical, social, and legal issues that can come up as the disease progresses.
If a healthcare provider has diagnosed you or a loved one with dementia, organizations like the Alzheimer’s Association can offer support and resources.
Updated November 2021