According to the National Library of Medicine, about 40% of people aged 65 or older have age-related memory impairment.
A loved one who occasionally forgets a name, or misplaces their key or cell phone, is usually nothing to worry about.
However, a loved one who is unable to carry out everyday tasks such as shopping, cooking, or driving should be a cause for concern. In some instances, forgetfulness may also be a sign of mild cognitive impairment.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an early stage of memory loss that may or may not develop into dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Older adults with MCI can carry out activities of daily living, but they are severe enough to be noticed by the affected person and family members.
According to AARP, people showing signs of mild cognitive impairment don’t have dementia but are at risk of developing dementia in the future.
But how do you know when to be concerned?
Here are some signs of cognitive changes in older adults that you should watch out for.
Changes in Hygiene or Organization
Not bathing, grooming, an increasingly messy home, or forgetting to pay bills can be symptoms of something more serious.
Download this informative Family Decision Toolkit for additional guidance and information.
Repetitive Questioning
The inability to comprehend and follow a conversation. Continuously asking the same questions over and over again.
Changes in Diet or Eating Habits
Reduced appetite, eating poorly, or not eating at all.
Personality Changes
Increased aggression, getting upset, getting angry more easily, odd or inappropriate behaviors.
Getting Lost
Your loved one is frequently getting lost in well-known places, forgetting directions, showing up late to appointments and events, and wandering.
An Inability to Follow Directions
Your loved one struggles to follow a recipe or instructions to take medication.
Forgetting Conversations
Perhaps a loved one is calling you to discuss an earlier conversation or continuously asking you to do completed things.
Wrap-up and Next Steps
Recognizing cognitive decline in a loved one can be scary and overwhelming. It’s essential to identify and take cognitive changes seriously and get them checked out by a physician.
Taking the time to converse with a loved one about how they’re feeling and what they’re experiencing is crucial to early detection and treatment.
You should know that there are resources and professionals that can help you identify and treat signs of cognitive changes in adults.
In addition, Memory Care communities like Vitality Living support families, keep memory care residents safe, and design customized plans for memory care residents.
Download this informative Family Decision Toolkit for additional guidance and information.