Is it Normal Memory Loss or Dementia?

Experts say perhaps as many as 40 percent of adults over the age of 65 suffer from some level of memory loss, but are quick to add, it does not necessarily mean Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia. They explain there are some noticeable characteristics separating normal memory loss from dementia.  

For instances, many older adults occasionally forget how to operate a piece of machinery or how to program a remote control if they have not done it in a while; but doctors say this is common and most-likely not a cause for concern. However it is more concerning when a person forgets how to get to home or how to perform routine tasks. 

It is normal to have to pause and think how to communicate a thought or idea but it is not normal to forget what you just said and continuously repeat yourself, or to not be able to finish a thought. Another sign the problem is more serious than normal forgetfulness is using the wrong word to describe something or forgetting the name altogether; as is forgetting names of family and friends. 

Other example of more than normal age-related forgetfulness is forgetting what an object is or what it is for. With normal memory loss, you may forget where you put your glasses; someone with Alzheimer’s may find their glasses and not recognize them as their own or forget they wear glasses. Experts caution even in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, people can have balance problems, and as the disease progresses, balance typically get worse. A 2009 study found people with dementia were “8-times more likely to fall than older people who have not been diagnosed with a form of dementia.”   

At MorningStar of Arvada, our senior living community has 112 bright independent living and assisted living suites in various configurations including spacious studios and one- and two-bedroom floor plans. For those suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia-related diseases, we have 29 secure memory care suites staffed by a team of dementia care specialists who truly understand the disease. Please visit our website to learn more about unsurpassed independent living, assisted living and compassionate memory care in Arvada, CO.  

Source: 

activebeat.com/your-health/normal-aging-vs-alzheimers-6-key-differences