Is Forgetfulness a Sign of Old Age or Dementia?

As you continue to age, forgetfulness may become increasingly common.

Is your forgetfulness due to dementia or old age? This is the concern of many individuals. The greater the concern, the more the anxiety, and the worse the scenario may become. 

The signs of dementia are many; however, there is no single behavior that can be identified as the hallmark characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. Dementia symptoms are usually gradual and  progressive until they become problematic in the patient.

You may have good reasons for concern if you show the following: you cannot concentrate and focus (absence or gradual disappearance of memory cues in the brain); you cannot understand sounds and you become a passive listener and lose interest in music and social skills; you cannot enjoy good food or appreciate music and art (loss of senses); you cannot identify understand or identify problems; you cannot prioritize (inability to cope with changes); and you begin to have fewer activities and less mobility.

The above symptoms are NOT signs of old age, but problematic characteristics of dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Aging is "benign senile forgetfulness." The signs and symptoms of old age are quite different from those of dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. Old age symptoms, manifested in forgetfulness, are simple lapses in memory: forgetting the name of a person just met; not finding the right word or expression while communicating; taking more time to learn a new things; taking longer time to react or respond.

The above symptoms often worsen due to frustration and increased anxiety, giving the concern of Alzheimer's and dementia. These lapses may be a nuisance, but never a problem. The changes in behavior are continual and gradual, due to the decrease of brain function, but never problematic. This is the main difference between forgetfulness and dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Another important determinant factor is the normal cognitive function of the brain. It may take you longer to learn a new task, but you can learn it because your cognitive function remains unimpaired even if you continue to age. That’s why it is important to utilize your brain as much as possible. Remember, use it or lose it.

Sharpening your memory may even delay the onset of dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease. You might have heard of mnemonics and how it can improve your memory - yes, it is simple and easy to learn to make memorization a breeze.

Keep your brain healthy with a healthy brain diet, which is essentially a healthy diet for a healthy heart, because what is good for the heart is also good for the brain.

Mental health is longevity health. A healthy mind adds many more good years to your life.

Stephen Lau

Copyright© by Stephen Lau