Alicia Seaver is the Vice President of Memory Care Operations for EPOCH Senior Living and a Certified Memory Impairment Specialist. Every month, she addresses a specific issue related to memory and memory care. If you’re interested in hearing about a particular topic, please send a note to [email protected].
Q: Alicia, my mother has been experiencing a lot of “senior moments” recently, which has me worried. I know that as we age, we generally become more forgetful, but what’s the difference between “normal” forgetfulness and something more serious?
It’s normal to worry when your parent or a loved one starts to forget where they’ve put their keys, or blanking on a family member’s name, or are unsure why they came into a room. All of us are forgetful at one time or another, but as we age, these memory blips are concerning because they have the potential to be something much more serious.
“Senior moments” are a completely normal part of getting older, and for many seniors, they’re nothing to be concerned about. Major memory loss, however, is not a normal part of the aging process. That’s why it’s important to understand the difference between simple memory lapses and symptoms that may indicate the presence of something more serious.
Here are some examples of normal, age-related forgetfulness:
- Occasionally forgetting where you’ve placed something, like your glasses, TV remote or keys
- Blanking on someone’s name or calling someone by a similar name (like calling your granddaughter by your daughter’s name…or other daughter’s name…or the dog’s name…)
- Forgetting the plot of the movie you watched just a few days ago
- Easily getting distracted while you’re doing something
- Having difficulty remembering details of a conversation or event that happened a while ago
- Having names, information and words “on the tip of your tongue”
On the other hand, here are some examples that can potentially indicate the onset of memory illness or a form of dementia:
- Long pauses to search for the right words, or substituting similar words for a common one (such as calling the coffeemaker a “drink machine”)
- Forgetting appointments and events on a regular basis
- Not recognizing or knowing the names of friends and family members
- Forgetting familiar routes to places you frequent
- Being unable to remember details of a conversation that just happened
Perhaps one of the biggest differences between age-related forgetfulness and dementia is who’s doing the worrying. When a person is aging normally, they may be worried about their forgetfulness – but their loved ones aren’t. For seniors with dementia, they aren’t worried about their forgetfulness because they’re not aware of any problems – but their loved ones are definitely concerned.
Even if the memory lapses are concerning, it’s possible they could be due to a treatable condition. Depression, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, alcohol abuse, infections and certain medications are all factors that can cause cognitive problems. For seniors, taking three or more medications, being dehydrated and even having a urinary tract infection can cause issues as well.
If you have a loved one whose memory lapses have you concerned, or if you’re a senior concerned with your own risk of developing dementia, the first step is to consult your family physician. He or she can do an examination, assess the symptoms, help you understand your personal risk and help you find treatment or resources.
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Bridges® by EPOCH communities have been developed from the ground up to anticipate, meet and exceed the needs of our residents and their families. Our team of remarkable people, the exceptional care and services we offer and the purposeful design of our buildings all combine to create the most rewarding, secure and nurturing lifestyle possible for our residents.
We understand the concern families feel about ensuring quality of life for loved ones. That’s why, at Bridges® by EPOCH, we offer a wellness-centered lifestyle that focuses on reinforcing individual strengths, so residents enjoy heightened confidence and self-esteem. Ultimately, we provide everything residents need to thrive and rediscover a life with purpose.
Inspiration for Success
At our Bridges® by EPOCH communities, we work closely with families to gain necessary insight and deeper understanding into the lives of our residents upon admission. With this initial information, along with what our exceptional team members learn about our residents each and every day, we are best prepared to provide highly individualized programming for our residents.