Dementia vs Normal Aging: What Kalamazoo Families Should Know
Cognitive decline is an exceptionally popular condition for seniors. The National Institutes of Health states that roughly two out of every three Americans will experience some level of cognitive impairment. But how can you tell the difference between Dementia vs normal aging?
Kalamazoo is an excellent location for those concerned about their health or early signs of dementia. The beautiful scenery and historic city provide residents with a great amount of stimulation to help battle memory loss and aging. Whether you're visiting the Kalamazoo Nature Center for a lovely walk or enjoying the afternoon in one of the many museums, you'll find your environment bolstering your mood.
If you're curious about cognitive decline in seniors, we're here to help guide you. Read on for a brief overview of brain health for older adults and the difference between dementia and normal aging.
Cognitive Effects of Aging
It's a fact of life that nearly all of us will experience some impact on our cognitive abilities as we age. Such a thing is normal and natural and should not be viewed as a terrible thing. While the thought of one's mind "slowing down" can seem intimidating, such terms don't tell the full story.
What Changes?
As we age, you may see a slight decline in processing speed. That is to say; the average senior may not be able to think as quickly or as clearly as they could in their youth. The Memory and Aging Center refers to this as an "overall slowness in thinking," as well as difficulty with multitasking.
You also may see an impact to your "working memory." Your working memory is what you use when recalling facts, information, and other such memories. Memories of your days and life can also be affected, but often not to a significant impact.
Finally, you may also see some impacts on executive function. According to the Cleveland Clinic, our executive function is our ability to manage tasks like problem-solving, making plans, and adapting to new situations.
What Stays?
The good news is that much more of our cognitive ability remains than worsens. There are some studies that show that our brains even grow and improve in old age. Knowing what stays can help you decide between dementia vs normal aging.
In terms of what stays, standard aging does not impact the ability to recall your life. Many people are concerned about forgetting their loved ones or experiences. Rest assured that this is not something that happens during normal aging.
The skills you've learned in life will also remain. While your body may not be as strong as it was, your mind will retain its ability to perform the tasks you've mastered. A good chef in her 30s will still be a good chef in her senior years.
According to Harvard, there are also benefits as our brains strengthen in our senior years. These changes help our brain become better at capturing the proverbial "big picture" and connecting diverse information. Once seen as the wisdom of age, this is now believed to be the result of our brain continuing to grow.
Dementia vs Normal Aging
When people think of aging, they often think of common neurological diseases like dementia and Alzheimer's. But what is dementia, and how common is it? There are varied reports on the latter, but we know that it's not something that will impact the majority of seniors.
According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 55 million people with dementia across the world. About 60% of these individuals live in low or middle-income countries where care is much more difficult to access.
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a specific condition. Instead, dementia is a blanket term used for a large number of cognitive impairments that people experience as they age.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities. The loss must be severe enough to interfere with the daily life of the senior to classify as dementia. Some conditions that fall under dementia include:
- Alzheimer's
- Lewy body
- Frontotemporal conditions
- Huntington's disease
- Vascular disease
Another condition is "mixed dementia." Mixed dementia is a type of dementia caused by more than one condition. For example, someone with Alzheimer's and Lewy bodies would be considered to have mixed dementia. Our Senior Living Library features more information on these conditions and memory loss.
Signs of Normal Aging Memory Loss
When we begin to forget things, it's easy to assume it's dementia. However, there are plenty of relatively harmless signs of normal aging. These may include:
- Inability to remember details of a conversation or event that occurred
- Occasional forgetfulness or difficulty with finding words
- Difficulty remembering the names of someone you loosely know
Another common sign is that you're concerned about memory loss, but those around you are not. Your loved ones can tell if there are significant changes or unexpected difficulties. If these signs aren't there, they likely won't have any sense of alarm.
Still, you may have that sense, as it's your mind that you feel changing. Communicate your concerns with your loved ones and see if they have the same worries.
Early Signs of Dementia
How can you differentiate these symptoms from early signs of dementia? The quick answer is that doing so on your own is exceptionally difficult. It's best to speak with a medical professional if you're concerned you're showing early signs of dementia.
Some symptoms may include:
- Inability to recall details of recent events or conversations
- Inability to recognize or recall the names of loved ones
- Difficulty speaking and remembering common vocabulary
There are other symptoms that can help you decide when to seek dementia care and attention. Trust your loved ones to help guide you if you're concerned about early signs of dementia.
Memory Loss and Aging
Understanding the differences between dementia vs normal aging is difficult, especially if you're looking at yourself. Focusing on brain health for older adults will help you to recognize the signs and seek medical attention.
At LakeHouse Kalamazoo, we provide personalized and attentive care in a warm, stimulating environment. Our goal is to help our residents thrive with a full sale of entertaining and enriching activities. Contact us today to schedule a tour of our lovely communities.