As loved ones age, they may act in ways that are unexpected, like being confused or forgetful. Is this a sign of dementia, or is it just normal aging? Unfortunately, there’s no single way to easily identify dementia, but understanding normal aging and your loved one’s typical behavior can help.
Understanding the Aging Brain
The brain, like any other organ or tissue in our body, goes through changes as we age. Certain parts of the brain shrink, which causes changes in how we think and how quickly we think. Neurons, which send messages throughout your body, just don’t talk to each other as quickly as they used to. Plus, neurotransmitters – chemicals that help your neurons communicate – aren’t as plentiful.
For these reasons, it’s common for aging to affect the speed of thinking. As a person gets older, it may be more difficult for them to problem solve, but if a little extra time is given, then these activities will often still be completed.
Everyone Ages Differently
Many factors influence how a person’s brain ages. Eating healthy foods and staying active, especially in midlife and beyond, can have significant positive impacts on brain health.
You can think of your brain vessels like the drainpipes of a sink. Over time, buildup can form in the pipes until one day your sink backs up. The brain is similar in that plaque can slowly develop in your brain vessels because of poor diet and lack of exercise. This reduces blood flow to the brain. It affects your brain’s ability to function well and can also increase a person’s risk for conditions, such as a stroke.
Keeping your brain engaged with brain teasers, crosswords, puzzles and learning are all ways of keeping your brain active with aging.
Normal Aging vs. Dementia
For many of us, a mild cognitive decline will be part of aging. It may take the brain a little longer, but it’ll still get the job done.
The most important thing is that we look at each person individually. Understanding a person’s history is necessary. For example, I’ve often misplaced my keys my entire life. So, if I kept misplacing my keys in my later years, that’s not likely an indicator of a memory problem or potential dementia. Dementia assessments consider changes in a person’s behavior and ability, rather than just their current situation.
It’s important not to confuse loss of senses with memory or cognitive ability, too. Sometimes a person may seem forgetful or confused because they don’t fully hear or see all the information.
Examples of Potential Dementia Indicators
Here are some examples of behaviors that can be potential signs of dementia. Remember, these are only indicators and symptoms vary between individuals. Having multiple indicators can help you determine if it’s time for you or a loved one to see your physician.
Typical Forgetfulness | Potential Dementia Indicator |
| Forgetting to brush your teeth one morning. | Forgetting to take a shower for a few days. |
| Planning a cruise but getting overwhelmed because you’ve never done it before. | Not being able to figure out transportation to a doctor’s appointment, although you could before. |
| Having difficulty with a puzzle because you aren’t used to putting them together. | Not knowing how to open a milk jug and trying to stab a hole in it. |
| Forgetting a word you know but is not commonly used. | A new inability to write a letter to friends or trouble finding the right words often. |
| Having to look for your keys because you set them down in an unlikely but reasonable place. | Putting the keys in the refrigerator. |
Changes in mood or personality, withdrawal from work or social activities, decreased or poor judgment and new trouble with spatial relationships or visual images are additional signs that could be indicators of dementia.
Early Invention with Dementia
Recognizing dementia and treating it early can help with better outcomes. However, this is challenging because of how we define disease. It’s usually associated with how it affects a person’s daily life and ability to perform day-to-day activities.
Partners and spouses can be tremendously helpful at recognizing potential indicators for dementia because they are with that person so often.
Sometimes families feel guilty that they didn’t recognize dementia symptoms earlier. We have to remember that as human beings, our brains and bodies are pretty good at compensating when we lose abilities. Unfortunately, this can make spotting dementia signs in a loved one difficult.
If you have concerns related to your memory or thinking abilities, talk with your doctor. They can talk through potential symptoms and next steps.
