Forgetfulness vs. Dementia - Should You be Concerned?

If you or a loved one has become more forgetful, you may be concerned that you are in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer's (the most common form of dementia). However, memory loss is a normal part of aging for many people and is not always something to be overly concerned about. Still, you may wonder how to tell the difference between normal memory loss and dementia.

Normal Forgetfulness

"About 40% of people aged 65 or older have age-associated memory impairment—in the United States, about 16 million people," according to the National Library of Medicine. "Only about 1% of them will progress to dementia each year."

Furthermore, it's normal to forget things occasionally at any age, but how do you know what is normal age-related forgetfulness and what is a serious memory problem? Here are the symptoms of normal forgetfulness, according to the National Institute on Aging (NIH):

• Making a bad decision once in a while
• Missing a monthly payment
• Forgetting which day it is but remembering it later
• Sometimes, forgetting which word to use
• Losing things from time to time

Tips for Dealing with Normal Forgetfulness

There are steps people with normal forgetfulness can take to deal with forgetfulness:

• Follow a daily routine
• Keep things, such as your wallet, keys, phone, etc., in the same place
• Use calendars, to-do lists, and notes to keep track of things
• Eat healthy foods
• Stay physically active/ exercise
• Get enough sleep
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Learn a new skill
• Volunteer

Potential Signs of Dementia

Forgetfulness caused by dementia or Alzheimer's is more severe than normal, age-related forgetfulness. Here are the symptoms of dementia, according to the NIH:

• Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time
• Problems taking care of monthly bills
• Losing track of the date or time of the year
• Trouble having a conversation
• Misplacing things often and being unable to find them

When to Consult with a Doctor

Many people will consult with their doctor if they experience pain or other physical issues but hesitate to do so if they have memory loss. A doctor can perform assessments and tests to help determine the cause of your forgetfulness, which could be as simple as an infection, side effects from medications, etc. A doctor can monitor your symptoms and suggest treatments if appropriate. Furthermore, anxiety about your memory loss can make the memory loss worse, so discovering the cause can help.

If the diagnosis is dementia or Alzheimer's, there is no cure. However, there are steps you can take to improve your quality of life, such as counseling and medications to ease the symptoms (usually most effective during the early stages). You can also take legal and financial steps to plan for the future.

Signs that it may be time to consult with a doctor include repeatedly asking the same questions, getting lost in a familiar place, struggling to follow directions, becoming confused, and not taking care of yourself.

Be on the lookout for scenarios similar to the following (in yourself and aging loved ones), which are not common behaviors in people without dementia:

• Forgetting the rules of a game you've played often
• Getting into traffic accidents
• Getting lost in your own neighborhood
• Putting your keys in the oven or refrigerator
• Getting confused while dressing
• Changes in personality
• Bursts of anger for no reason
• Depression
• Staring at the TV for hours or sleeping all day
• Replacing simple words with other words that don't make sense

Compassionate In-Home Care for Alzheimer’s & Dementia is Available

Watching a loved one struggle with dementia or Alzheimer's can be heartbreaking. As the disease progresses, it can become increasingly challenging to provide the care and support your loved one needs.

Comforting Home Care by Phoebe offers compassionate in-home care services - personal care, meal prep, transportation, and companionship - designed to support individuals with dementia, providing much-needed respite care for their families and loved ones.

Contact us today at 610-625-5206 to learn more about our in-home Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care Services, or connect with us online.