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Warning Signs That Forgetfulness Is “Something More”

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Everybody forgets things from time to time. In fact, as we get older, forgetfulness can be a part of daily life. After all, if you’ve lived for a long time, you’ve got a lot of information packed into your brain. It just makes sense that, sometimes, you may not be able to recall this fact or that conversation. However, when forgetfulness becomes increasingly frequent, seniors and their loved ones start to worry: is it “something more?”

 

“While forgetfulness can be a sign of normal aging, it’s also a sign of memory loss and cognitive decline,” says Addie Ricci, Executive Director at Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk, located in Norwalk, CT. “Misplacing your keys every once in a while shouldn’t be cause for concern, but if you or a loved one starts having big memory lapses, unusual behavior or confusion, it could be a sign that forgetfulness is something more serious than a senior moment.”

 

Addie says that while individuals may automatically assume that “something more” equals “dementia,” that’s not always the case. “There are many different variables that can cause memory lapses in older adults. Infections, illness, depression and certain medications can all affect cognitive function.”

 

No matter what’s causing it, it’s important to know the early signs of “something more” so that medical attention can be administered as soon as possible. “There are medications and treatments that can be implemented in the early stages of dementia that can help stall or slow cognitive decline for a time, as well as lifestyle factors that can be put into play to help live a healthy lifestyle,” Addie explains. “If the situation is being caused by something reversible, it’s important to resolve it sooner rather than later, because if it progresses too far, the memory loss could be permanent.”

 

Here are ten early warning signs that you or your loved one may be experiencing “something more.” Knowing the differences between “normal” and “not normal” can help you determine if a medical professional needs to be consulted.

 

10 Early Warning Signs That Shouldn’t Be Ignored

 

1. Memory loss.

One of the most common early signs of dementia is memory loss that disrupts daily life. This includes things like forgetting a conversation that just occurred, forgetting significant dates and events or repeating the same question over and over. Significant memory loss can also manifest as relying on memory aids or other family members in order to accomplish tasks that they used to be able to handle on their own. Normal, age-related forgetfulness would be things like forgetting someone’s name or missing an appointment here and there, but remembering them later or when someone offers a prompt or context.

 

2. Difficulty solving problems.

Problem-solving and planning are other ways early memory loss manifests. Some individuals may find it increasingly difficult to keep track of monthly bills or have difficulty concentrating or find complex tasks overly confusing and difficult. Normal, age-related memory changes would be forgetting to pay a bill every once in a while or sometimes making an error when balancing a checkbook (something all of us have done at one point or another).

 

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks.

People with early memory loss can often find it hard to complete routine tasks, such as driving to a familiar location, making a favorite family recipe or remembering the rules to a game they play often. Normal, age-related memory loss would be sometimes forgetting how to use the DVR or not remembering what the microwave settings are.

 

4. Becoming confused about place and time.

We’ve all forgotten what day it is or the specific date – that’s a sign of normal forgetfulness. So is driving to a familiar place but “zoning out” so you don’t necessarily remember exactly how you got there. Signs of “something more” would be an individual losing track of what season it is or even what year it is. Forgetting where they are or how they arrived in a place can also be signs of “something more.”

 

5. Visual difficulty.

It’s a fact that eyesight worsens as we get older. When these changes are due to eye issues like cataracts or macular degeneration, that’s a normal age-related change (which should, of course, be checked out and treated). Early signs of dementia can be vision problems such as difficulty with depth perception, spatial relationships and visual images. If a loved one is having difficulty judging distance or getting confused with color or contrast, that could be a sign of “something more.”

 

6. Problems with language.

Have you ever had a specific word on the tip of your tongue? It’s probably nothing to worry about. However, calling objects by the wrong name, struggling to find a common word or not being able to follow a conversation could be the sign of a cognitive issue.

 

7. Misplacing items.

Losing or misplacing items is an early stage of cognitive decline. Now, if you are constantly searching for your keys or your glasses but are able to find them eventually, that’s usually not concerning. Someone with dementia or memory issues will lose things and be unable to retrace their steps to find them. They may also accuse other family members of stealing or hiding items.

 

8. Poor judgment.

If forgetfulness is paired with poor or decreased judgment, this could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia. This often manifests in financial matters, such as donating large amounts of money to telemarketers or ordering items off late-night TV. While all of us make a poor decision every once in a while, when bad decisions are frequent and increasing, it’s time to get things checked out.

 

9. Withdrawing from social activities.

Someone with cognitive decline may start to avoid social interaction with friends and family or spend less time doing things they once loved to do. This could be because they find the situations confusing or scary. It could also be that they know something is wrong with them but don’t want anyone else to find out. While it’s normal to not want to attend an event every once in a while, it’s not normal to stop interaction altogether.

 

10. Mood or personality changes.

Finally, if forgetfulness is paired with sudden changes in personality or mood, it’s time to call the doctor to get things checked out. Brain diseases like Alzheimer’s affect different parts of the brain, and if a loved one is suddenly becoming fearful, anxious, suspicious or overly irritable, it could be a sign of “something more.”

 

Addie says that many seniors and their loved ones can be reluctant to talk to a doctor about forgetfulness and other memory issues because they’re worried they’ll hear the dreaded words it’s dementia. “It’s normal not to want to hear bad news, but it’s actually better to hear it sooner rather than later because there are ways to treat the disease, even though we can’t cure it,” she explains. “No matter what’s causing the forgetfulness, facing the issue head-on will have much better results than ignoring the problem and hoping it will go away.”

 

Expert, Life-Enriching Memory Care

Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides memory care assisted living that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Exclusively dedicated to caring for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, our community promotes a wellness-focused lifestyle that emphasizes dignity and individual preferences. Our memory care professionals receive specialized, ongoing training designed to help residents maximize their independence in a secure, calm environment – making a truly positive impact on the lives of our residents.

 

Inspiring Programs for All Stages

Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk’s services are designed to recognize and adapt to the unique challenges and individuality of each resident while ensuring comfort and safety. We believe in a full-service approach to care and provide personalized attention and programming for residents in every stage of memory loss.

 

Purposeful Community Design

Within a beautiful residential design, Bridges® by EPOCH at Norwalk provides everything residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia need to enjoy comfort, familiarity and security. Soft colors, directional cues and aromatherapy create a soothing and secure environment where residents feel at home.

Bridges® by EPOCH is New England’s largest stand-alone memory care assisted living provider.

 

Contact us today to learn more.

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