Notes

Is Memory Loss a Symptom of Old Age Disease?
Forgetfulness, such as misplacing your keys or blanking on someone's name, is common and usually not a sign of a medical condition. However, if these lapses get worse over time and interfere with your daily life, you should see your doctor right away.

A health care provider can do a general physical exam and order blood tests or brain imaging to find a possible cause for your memory problems.
Causes

Everyone forgets things now and then, and a little memory loss is often just a normal part of aging. gps tracker for elderly But when it’s severe enough to interfere with daily life, it could be a sign of Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia.

Symptoms of dementia include forgetting recent events, asking for the same information over and over, and becoming reliant on notes or family members for everyday tasks. Memory problems may also affect judgement and decision-making. Other signs include putting items in unusual places, getting lost on familiar journeys, and accusing others of stealing.

The risk for dementia increases as people age, but there are a number of things that can cause memory and thinking problems, including depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, stress, and sleep disorders such as insomnia or apnea. Taking medications as prescribed and getting regular health screenings can help prevent or treat these conditions. Some prescription drugs, recreational drug use, toxins, and endocrine issues can also impact mental function.
Symptoms

Occasional memory lapses are common as people age, but they aren't usually a warning sign of Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia. Memory problems that disrupt daily life are a serious concern, though, and should be discussed with a doctor as soon as possible.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage that lies between normal age-related changes and the more severe memory problems that indicate dementia. Symptoms include forgetting recent events or names, asking the same question over and over, difficulty following a conversation, misplacing items and not being able to retrace steps, and becoming easily distracted.

Other signs of dementia include driving to familiar places and forgetting how to get back home, difficulty planning or solving a problem, and taking longer than usual to complete everyday tasks such as following a recipe or paying bills. Depression can also cause symptoms like these, so a doctor should always consider the possibility of reversible causes before assuming that a patient has Alzheimer's or other neurodegenerative dementia.
Diagnosis

In some cases, lapses in memory can be normal, such as occasionally misplacing reading glasses or forgetting what day it is. But if you or an older family member has memory problems that disrupt daily activities, it's important to talk with your doctor.

He or she will ask questions about your health history, symptoms and current medications. He or she will also do a physical exam.

If your doctor suspects that your symptoms are due to a health condition, he or she may order brain imaging tests such as a CT scan or an MRI. These tests help rule out reversible causes of memory loss, such as brain tumors, infections, heart attacks and reactions to medication.

If your doctor can't find a medical cause for your memory changes, he or she might diagnose you with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The term MCI describes a decline in thinking skills that is greater than expected for your age but does not prevent you from functioning in social and work environments. medical alert systems for seniors MCI is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
Treatment

Memory problems and difficulty with language and logical thinking can have many causes, from depression to medication side effects. If you have a loved one who is experiencing these symptoms, it is a good idea to take them to see their doctor.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage between normal age-related changes and dementia. It involves memory, language and thinking problems that are greater than usual but are not serious enough to interfere with daily living activities.

Taking steps to avoid illnesses can help prevent memory loss. Talk to your health care provider about getting regular physicals, eating a healthy diet, avoiding medications that can affect memory and sleep and staying socially active. Avoid smoking and illegal drug use, which can also cause memory problems. Also beware of any dietary supplements or medicines that claim to treat Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative dementias. These products are often unproven and can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor before trying any new product.
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