We all experience forgetfulness to some degree – it can happen to anyone at any age. And during the aging process, individuals typically begin to experience slight changes in their intellect over time, which may mean more instances of forgetfulness or other signs of memory loss. So how do we know if someone is experiencing age-related forgetfulness or dementia? Below we’re sharing a few ways to differentiate between the two, as well as some of the signs that individuals should consult their doctor.
Could Changes In Your Loved One Be Due To Symptoms Of Dementia?
Dementia-related symptoms:
- Forgetting names and places without recall
- Significant difference in personality
- Becoming disoriented or lost in familiar surroundings
- Repeatedly misplacing objects or not knowing the name of objects
Often times, it is hard for people experiencing memory issues to recognize these instances, while those around them are understandably concerned. This can be an important distinction, as an older adult experiencing normal forgetfulness usually recognizes their own lack of recall. Most memory issues develop gradually, worsening over time, so if a sudden change in memory loss occurs, it could be related to another medical condition which may need immediate attention.
Normal age-related symptoms:
- Absentmindedness
- Reduced ability to multi-task
- Transience (when the brain forgets some memories over time, possibly making room for new ones)
- Decline in spontaneous word finding (taking longer to get words out)
These examples could be occurring because the speed with which information is processed slows down gradually with age, possibly resulting in a delay in recalling names, dates or events that happened in the past. While these symptoms can certainly be frustrating for older adults, they are usually nothing to worry about.
When to get help
Generally, experts recommend when memory loss prevents someone from performing daily tasks and accustomed roles in life, they should consult a physician for further evaluation. Since dementia is a clinical diagnosis, a clinician needs to merge all of the information from the patient examination, family history, lab results and brain scans in order to make a diagnosis.
You can look out for the following signs, which could be indicators of dementia:
- Disheveled appearance or lack of grooming
- Neglected hygiene or cleanliness
- Increase in incontinence
- Trouble with food preparation
- Changes in appetite and food preferences
- Alcohol abuse
- Loss of reasoning and judgment skills
- Problems with managing finances
- Stacks of mail and unpaid bills
- Unwatered or overwatered plants
- Pets being neglected or overfed/underfed
- Lack of interest in friends or activities
- Forgetfulness or loss of short-term memory
- Differences in sleep habits
- Depression
- Inability to safely manage medications
- Wandering
If your loved one is showing several of the above signs, you should consider seeking help from medical professionals to begin getting answers and assistance. At Highpoint at Cape Coral, we’ll work with your family to determine if dementia care is the best option for the health, safety and future well-being of your loved one.