Hi Readers,
The most asked question I get in my practice is “what is normal aging?” This question is typically asked by older adults who are concerned with their perceived cognitive “decline” and possible Alzheimer’s Disease. Do you know that there are at least a dozen forms of pseudo-dementia that are treatable and reversible because they are not dementia at all? Two examples are dehydration and multi-tasking. When discussing this issue with clients, most of them have been or are currently being bullied by their adult children and are convinced that institutionalization is right around the corner. If you are an adult child, please stop lay-diagnosing older adults. You lack the expertise to make a diagnosis! Further, every lost key or slip-up is just normal aging. As the brain ages, delayed recall is perfectly normal. Losing the remote is normal at ANY AGE. Picking up the remote and asking, “What is this thing?” is NOT normal. People confuse memory loss and delayed recall. Slowed memory recall is NORMAL aging, but memory LOSS is not normal.
I am on a crusade of sorts, for the root cause is AGEISM. People judging former and current elected officials as having “dementia” is appalling. Those doing the judging suffer from diminished self-esteem: It elevates their sense of importance and self-worth. I am seeing far too many jokes, altered videos, and cartoonish clips related to older people in general, but particularly those we have elected into office to represent us. Not funny. It is blatant ageism and egocentric to make fun of seniors, diminish their abilities, and categorize them as incompetent.
Do you understand the difference between what is normal aging and what is cause for follow-up with a medical team? The article below has been excerpted from an NCOA bulletin [originally from the Alzheimer’s Association] and I have included red font for clarification. I hope you find this useful. Being bullied about your age? Here is a great response: “I’m sorry you feel that way.” Before reading the excerpt below, please know that there are numerous forms of dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease is one of many.
AgeDoc
https://www.ncoa.org/article/know-the-10-signs-of-alzheimers-early-detection-matters?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CHA
Dementia - Early diagnosis is key
“Early diagnosis has demonstrated better health outcomes for individuals and their caregivers. It may be hard to know the difference between age-related changes and the first signs of dementia, but memory loss that disrupts daily life is not a typical part of aging. Your memory often changes as you grow older. Some people recognize changes in themselves before anyone else notices. In other cases, friends and family are the first to observe changes in memory, behavior, or abilities. The Alzheimer’s Association has created a list of warning signs for Alzheimer’s and other dementias to help identify problems early. Individuals may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees.”
Ten warning signs for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
1. Memory loss that disrupts daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer’s disease, especially in the early stage, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events, asking for the same questions over and over, and increasingly needing to rely on memory aids (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.
2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people living with dementia may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.
3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work, or leisure
People living with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes they may have trouble driving to a familiar location, organizing a grocery list, or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.
4. Confusion with time or place
People living with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons, and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.
5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. This may lead to difficulty with balance or trouble reading. They may also have problems judging distance and determining color or contrast, causing issues with driving.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Vision changes related to cataracts.
6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People living with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have trouble naming a familiar object, or use the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.
7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person living with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. He or she may accuse others of stealing, especially as the disease progresses.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Misplacing things from time to time and retracing steps to find them.
8. Decreased or poor judgment
People living with Alzheimer’s may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money or pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Making a bad decision once in a while.
9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may experience changes in the ability to hold or follow a conversation. As a result, he or she may withdraw from hobbies, social activities, or other engagements.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Sometimes feeling weary of work, family, and social obligations.
10. Changes in mood and personality
Individuals living with Alzheimer’s may experience mood and personality changes. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful, or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, with friends, or when out of their comfort zone.
What’s a typical age-related change? NORMAL AGING:
Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.
What’s Next?
“These warning signs are intended to be a guide to help identify problems in memory, thinking, or behavior that may be related to Alzheimer’s or another dementia. Individuals may experience one, all, or some of these signs in varying degrees, and in numerous or single occurrences. They do not have to experience them all for there to be a concern. It’s important to discuss any changes in memory, thinking, or behavior, in either yourself or someone else, with a doctor.”
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