Tips to Discern Between Normal Forgetfulness and Dementia

Growing older is inevitable. While our society offers numerous ways to combat the effects of old age, certain changes occur in our bodies that we have little control over. We aren’t as flexible as we used to be. Wrinkles become more defined on our faces. Gray hairs appear more frequently. We may even become more forgetful.

“Senior moments” are common and happen to everyone. However, early symptoms of dementia can look and feel very similar to these “senior moments.” It’s natural for some seniors to jump to the conclusion that they must have dementia or Alzheimer’s when they experience a lapse in memory. Here's how to discern between normal aging forgetfulness and dementia.

Normal Aging Forgetfulness

We can expect our brains to change as we age. As we grow older, it takes us longer to process, store, and retrieve information. Our ability to multitask becomes more difficult. Learning new names and skills becomes more challenging. Our brains generate fewer chemical messengers, and the number of connections between brain cells drops. Certain aspects of attention, such as holding a conversation in a noisy restaurant, are more burdensome as we age.

It’s completely normal to forget where you left your keys, where you parked your car, the names of your new neighbors, or why you walked into a certain room in the first place. These instant and momentary bouts of forgetfulness are to be expected with age and don’t necessarily indicate a health or wellness concern when they occasionally happen.

Dementia

Dementia is defined by the Alzheimer’s Association as “a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life.” Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a wide variety of memory decline and the symptoms associated with memory loss. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, followed by vascular dementia.

When senior moments become more common and begin to interfere with daily life, then it might be dementia. Common signs of dementia include difficulty manipulating numbers (simple addition/subtraction), inability to complete regular tasks, using a simpler vocabulary, or searching for words that have never been problematic. It isn’t normal forgetfulness to be unable to recall your home address or drive home from familiar places. It isn't normal to forget how to write or how to balance a checkbook. It isn’t normal to mix up the order in which you get dressed or forget how to fold laundry.

When forgetfulness disrupts everyday life, it’s time to seek professional help. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician and ask for a referral to a neuropsychologist. Early detection and treatment can help avert the effects of dementia. It can also give your family time to arrange care services and seek support. 

If you have concerns about your memory, it may be time to schedule a memory screening. The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America offers virtual free memory screenings that can be completed in the comfort of your own home. Another place to check out is the Neuroscience Group Memory Care Center located in Neenah (with locations throughout Northeast Wisconsin). It’s always a good idea to get a baseline, especially if there is dementia in your medical history.

Visiting Angels Appleton understands the challenges of caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. Whether your loved one’s Alzheimer's is freshly diagnosed or an old familiar burden, balancing their care needs with your own or with other work and life commitments can be extremely difficult. Fortunately, we can help. We make it possible for seniors who may otherwise require a move to a memory care facility to remain safely in their own beloved homes. Our caregivers can come as often as you need, from occasional visits to round-the-clock monitoring. At Visiting Angels Appleton, bringing compassionate support to elders in our community is what we do best. For a free consultation in your very own home, contact us today by calling 920-944-8000 and ask about our dementia and Alzheimer's care services.