By Heidi Schwarzwald, MD HEALTH
Throughout my career as a clinician, I have experienced firsthand the concerns and challenges that cognitive issues cause older adults. They fear they’ll lose their memory and their independence, and become a burden to their loved ones. The questions they ask most often are if their “forgetfulness” is just natural aging, or if they’re developing a form of dementia. They are often scared of the answer because they think there is little they can do about it.
Even though there is no cure for dementia, if you or a loved one are tested and diagnosed early, there are treatments that can slow down disease progression. These treatments can help you protect your cognitive function and potentially add years to your memory and ability to live independently.
The key is early screening and diagnosis, but sadly, far too many older adults need testing. In fact, according to research published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 9 2 % of older Americans living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a common predecessor to dementia, are estimated to be undiagnosed. Similarly, the Alzheimer’s Association reports 54 % of adults aged 45 and older who believe they have cognitive decline, have not talked with their health care professional to get tested. This gap is a huge concern since diagnosed cognitive issues can be managed to help reduce the disease’s progression. Without care planning, older adults with MCI have an increased chance of hospitalizations, among other risks, resulting in higher costs to families.
Individuals with MCI and those around them may be aware that memory or mental function is declining. Often-
times these subtle changes may seem insignificant, so they do not discuss it with their primary care provider who could recommend early interventions that would make the most impact.
Some important red flags to look out for when considering if mental decline goes beyond the typical forgetfulness that comes with age are: 1. Missed appointments and
social events 2. Consistently losing train of thought and inability to follow the plot of a book or movie 3. Trouble following a conversation
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- Difficulty taking medicine due to confusion or lack of dexterity
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- Falls 6. Difficulty making decisions, finishing a task or following instructions