Forgetting things sometimes is a regular part of life. This is why people put reminders on their phones or stick notes on the wall. As people grow older, they may experience occasions of memory loss more frequently, but it is a normal aspect of aging. So, how do you know if it is a sign of dementia? And when do you tell a doctor about it? Read on to learn more about the difference between normal forgetfulness and dementia.
Normal Age-Related Symptoms
Normal age-related problems can be frustrating, but they are not very serious. Forgetfulness can come with age. Some of these typical memory-loss symptoms include:
- Transience and absent-mindedness
These two conditions are a regular part of aging. Transience refers to when you forget old memories over time. Absentmindedness is similar because it is related to your brain’s focus. Forgetting an appointment might just mean that you weren’t occupied with the thought of it.
- Other mental health conditions
There are other mental health conditions that can lead to memory loss. People with depression are sometimes mistaken for having symptoms of dementia. A person dealing with depression might be preoccupied with their sadness and thus forget about other things.
Potential Signs of Dementia
Memory loss related to dementia is progressive. These issues get worse and the individual will have to move to an assisted living facility. Here are some of the signs:
- Forgetting important information
Symptoms of dementia go beyond forgetting where an object is or when an appointment was scheduled. They include forgetting the names of friends and loved ones as well.
- Personality change
People with dementia might experience major changes in their personalities. They might experience aggressive behavior, impulsiveness, and paranoia. This is a very difficult part for caregivers to manage.
- Confusion
Another common symptom of dementia that you need to know about is becoming disoriented and confused in new environments. The disorientation can extend to both place and time. If they move to a new location, the unfamiliar stimuli may induce a feeling of insecurity. When they are disoriented, the older adults look lost to onlookers and they also become aggravated easily with their caregivers.
Although normal age-related memory loss and dementia may share some symptoms, they are different conditions. What you should take note of is that normal forgetfulness is usually caused by a lack of focus and it does not become a serious ailment. On the other hand, dementia will become progressively worse over time. If you are not sure your symptoms are just normal forgetfulness or dementia, it is advisable for you to schedule an appointment with your doctor.
After reading about the difference between normal forgetfulness and dementia, you might want to learn more about our senior living community at Discovery Village At The West End. We are proud to offer our SHINE® Memory Care curriculum. It has received a National Certificate of Recognition from the Alzheimer’s Association®, the country’s leading, voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care and research. Feel free to contact us to find out more!
