One of the most common complaints I hear from older adults is related to memory loss. Concerns about memory loss can be very troubling, especially since it can be difficult to know whether mild memory changes are consistent aging or if they are the first signs of something more serious.
I often hear people joke about having ‘senior moments,’ a nonmedical term used to describe temporary lapses in memory. I recently heard a new term – ‘junior moment’. A woman in her 40s used this term to describe delays in her recall, which she thought were due to stress. It seems that concerns about memory are occurring in younger and younger people.
Although many people expect to have some memory changes, as they get older, they often overestimate the degree of memory changes. The fact is that some changes in cognitive function (attention, memory, language, logical reasoning, and visual and spatial acuity) do occur with age. These changes are typically minimal and involve a delay in recall as opposed to memory loss. For example, you may not be able to recall the name of the actress in your favorite movie but after 15 minutes, it finally comes back to you.This is considered normal aging.
Even if it took you 3 hours or a few days to remember her name, that’s still normal. If you say to your friends, I don’t remember the movie at all and your friends recall watching it with you, that is concerning. These types of delays in recall tend to increase with aging but do not affect daily activities. When changes in memory start to impact the ability to perform routine tasks, an evaluation is needed.
People with memory loss due to something other than normal aging, such as Alzheimer’s disease, may feel that something’s not quite right, but they’re unable to pinpoint what’s bothering them. Rather than call attention to a memory lapse, they may behave as if everything is fine.
Memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s gets worse over time, but it certainly is not the only symptom of the disease. Alzheimer’s disease, a brain disorder, is the most common cause of dementia and leads to gradual and progressive loss of memory and function. Some of the earliest signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Asking the same questions
- Difficulty remembering common words
- Mixing words up — saying “bed” instead of “table”
- Being unable to complete familiar tasks
- Misplacing items in inappropriate places, such as putting a wallet in the refrigerator
- Getting lost while driving on familiar streets
- Undergoing sudden changes in mood or behavior for no apparent reason
- Becoming less able to follow directions
Many other medical problems cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s. That’s why it’s so important to consult a doctor if you’ve noticed memory lapses or uncharacteristic mood swings in yourself or in someone close to you. The problem may be a potentially reversible illness, such as depression, a metabolic disorder such as hypothyroidism, a reaction to a drug, or a vitamin deficiency.
If you are an older adult experiencing memory changes, try some of these tips to prevent memory decline.
Reading on a regular basis. In an age when people spend so much time passively watching television, reading pro-vides an opportunity for active mental engagement. And such habits as making predictions about a story’s plot and recalling details from what was read can further enhance the benefits of reading on one’s memory.
Playing board games. An avenue for much-needed social interaction, board games also encourage critical thinking. Playing musical instruments or other hobbies. The mental discipline required to learn a new hobby or skill helps ensure that more areas of the brain remain active.
Dancing. For those who are physically able, dancing provides a combination of physical and mental activity, especially the hard work of remembering all those dance steps!
Crossword puzzles. Someone who completes the New York Times crossword puzzle four days per week reduces the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by 50 percent compared to someone who does the puzzle only once per week.
Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D., is medical accuracy editor of The St. Louis American and associate professor of medicine and psychiatry, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science, at Washington University – St. Louis
