Normally, aging could be something as simple as missing an appointment, while other times a person repeatedly tells the same story, or suddenly they cannot remember a very familiar word. For many families, these events can evoke a lot of anxiety and create a concern regarding whether there is something medically wrong or if this is part of the aging process. 

Many families are concerned about memory loss in seniors, and they should be. With the growing age, the changes to their memory and cognitive function can be confusing, and unpredictable. However, not every lapse in memory equates to a medical condition. Memory changes in seniors fall on a continuum from normal age-related changes to a serious medical issue that requires intervention.

Once families are able to differentiate between normal aging and early signs of dementia, they may see the continuum more clearly over time. They will feel more confident in making their observations and thus will have a better understanding of when and how to seek out professional assistance. Let’s jump into detail!

What is Normal Aging and How it Affects Your Brain?

Aging is accompanied by several physical changes throughout our body and brain. Moreover, some degree of memory decline with age is expected and normal for most people, this does not interfere with their ability to live independently or enjoy their quality of life.

The knowledge of what constitutes normal aging helps families worry less and focus on what is most important to them.

How the Brain Changes as We Get Older?

As we get older, our brain may process information slightly differently than when we were younger. However, this does not mean that our brains fail to work properly but rather how they function has changed. Some of them are!

• Slower processing speeds: Older people may find that it takes longer to recall specific pieces of information or respond in conversation because of normal cognitive aging, not because of any decrease in intelligence.
• Decreased ability to multitask: As we get older, completing multiple tasks at once may have become more difficult and often may work better by completing tasks one at a time.
• Minor difficulties in finding words: Most of us have experienced the frustrating sensation of being unable to find that word that is on the tip of our tongue, especially with people’s names or less frequently used words.
• Greater reliance on reminders: Lists, calendars, alarms, and notes become helpful tools and using them is a sign of adaptation, not decline.

Thus, these shifts reflect how the brain naturally ages. They are part of age and cognitive decline that occurs gradually and does not disrupt daily life.

Normal Signs of Aging

Seniors and their families frequently express concerns regarding short-term memory loss and worry that these kinds of changes indicate an increasing degree of memory impairment in themselves or others. In many instances, these types of changes are typical of normal aging or behavioral activities associated with normal age-related issues.

A few examples are:

• At times, forgetting names or appointments and then recalling them at a later time.
• Misplacing items and then being able to locate them by retracing your steps.
• The difficulty seniors have when it comes to learning new technology or skills, especially if they have never used the device or program before.
• Seniors may need more time to make decisions than they did previously, especially when there are multiple options to choose from.
• In older adults, mild short-term memory loss can sometimes occur when the individual has not experienced a deterioration in their memory and has not changed their daily routines.

However, these types of memory issues do not disrupt the ability of seniors to manage their finances, medications, household tasks, or engage with others socially.

Normal Aging Characteristics

What distinguishes normal aging from other conditions affected by the advancing years is the behaviour of these changes over time.

• Changes happen progressively and are stable. Memory loss in older adults is not something that is observed frequently or experienced at a much faster rate than normal.
• Continued abilities to maintain daily routines. Older adults are still able to take care of themselves, fulfil obligations and participate in social activities.
• Awareness of the change. Older adults are aware of their memory problems and many use different coping mechanisms such as notes and routines.

Hence, families have the opportunity to provide support to an aging person with memory improvement, lifestyle changes, and cognitive stimulation to maintain memory in older adults by taking part in physical exercise, and increasing the number of opportunities for social interaction.

What is Early Dementia?

Dementia is defined as having many symptoms that affect someone’s memory, thinking abilities, behaviours, and the ability to carry out normal daily activities. Some of the most common reasons that Dementia occurs include:

•  Alzheimer’s Disease – The most common cause, generally causes gradual memory loss.
•  Vascular Dementia – Decreased blood flow to the brain frequently  occurs after a stroke or heart condition.
•  Lewy Body Dementia – Often causes a change in memory and can also give a person visual or movement problems.
•  Mixed Dementia – Occurs when a person can have multiple causes for their Dementia.

When a doctor describes early/mild Dementia, they are referring to the very first stages of Dementia. There is enough evidence of Dementia symptoms, but they are not affecting the individual’s ability to manage their daily activities.

Why Early Dementia Can Be Hard to Identify?

The initial stages of Dementia are often challenging to distinguish from other normal age-related memory changes.

Some people will show signs of forgetfulness one day and then demonstrate an incredible memory the following day. Some family members may think this behavior is normal memory decline as the age of their loved one declines but others may think this could mean that their loved one has developed Dementia.

Therefore, many times family members have difficulty connecting the dots because they don’t have all the information about their loved one and cannot recognize their loved one is suffering from memory loss.

Attributing memory loss to other issues, including stress, fatigue, grief or normal age and cognitive decline is a common occurrence amongst family members. Although all of these issues can have an impact on memory function. However, early Dementia is usually characterized by the initial onset of memory loss that gradually progresses over time rather than temporarily disappears and reappears over time.

Early Warning Signs Of Dementia

Although it’s difficult to diagnose Dementia, there certainly are some warning signs or factors which could indicate potential early-stage dementia, especially if they seem to worsen over time or negatively affect day-to-day functioning. Let’s check it out!

Changes in Memory

The memory loss associated with early-onset Dementia will often be significantly greater and more intermittent than the normal short-term memory loss that can be seen in seniors. Family members may notice:

• Repeatedly asking the same questions after having just received an identical response.
• Forgetting major events, meetings or conversations, and not being able to recall them at a later date.
• Relying heavily on others for reminders and assistance that were typically self-directed.
• Difficulty tracking conversations and following television programming or story developments.

Hence, such type of memory loss will start to occur with respect to more recent events, and will not resolve with any external prompts.

Changes in Thinking and Judgement

The onset of memory problems is not the first indication of potential Dementia. Changes in one’s ability to reason and make appropriate decisions can also be an early indicator of Dementia. Basically, it includes!

• Poor financial decision making like difficulty paying bills, etc.
• Difficulty planning, organizing, and resolving problems.
• Facing problems following prior routines, directions, or recipes that were formerly habitual. 

As age progresses, these types of challenges will be indicative of an individual’s cognitive capabilities worsening.

Communication Changes

Evidence of Dementia can often go unnoticed by families due to the difficulty in communication that can be the first indication of Dementia appearing.

Everyday examples of communication problems that family members might see would be:

• Replacing familiar words with different, incorrect, or vague words to describe ordinary, everyday objects.
• Difficulty understanding spoken or written language.

Behavior and Personality Changes

Many families are emotionally affected when they see changes in the individual with Dementia. They may see the following changes!

• Irritability, anxiousness, or lethargy.
• Making attempts to avoid people who they once enjoyed being around.
• Loss of interest in activities or hobbies they once enjoyed doing.
• A dramatic decline in their ability to show emotions or empathy.

Many of these changes may be misidentified as being depressed or stressed, but it may also need to be further investigated when combined with other memory-related problems for seniors diagnosed with Dementia.

Loss of Ability to Function

Not being able to complete ones’ daily tasks of living is one of the first indicators of early-stage dementia for many families. Family members commonly report that seniors diagnosed with dementia are experiencing with!

• Difficulty managing medications correctly.
• Not driving safely or becoming lost in familiar locations.
• Not being able to care for themselves in areas like cooking, cleaning and grocery shopping.
• Declining work performance, being able to volunteer or being able to care for others.

When memory loss elderly adults experience, it’s a strong signal that professional evaluation is needed.

You can even read: Why Routine Matters for Seniors Living with Dementia?

Normal Aging vs. Early Dementia

Area	Normal Aging	Early Dementia
Memory	Occasionally forgets, later recalls.	Forgets and does not recall.
Daily Function	Independent.	Needs increasing assistance.
Insight	Aware and concerned.	Often unaware or defensive.
Progression	Slow and stable.	Gradual but worsening.
Language	Word-finding pauses.	Frequent breakdowns.
Judgment	Intact.	Noticeable decline.

How It Can Have Impact on Families?

When a person’s memory begins to change, there is often an emotional storm within the household prior to diagnosis. The uncertainty of such a diagnosis brings on emotions of guilt, denial, and fear. 

Many families struggle with feelings of guilt regarding their responses to the memory changes, wondering if they are being too dramatic or unfair. It is also common for there to be differing views among family members. One sibling may observe some symptoms of memory loss in their older parent and be concerned. Whereas, another sibling may observe the same symptoms and rationalize it as just normal aging related memory loss. 

The difference in perspective creates strain between siblings and limits their ability to have difficult conversations around the memory changes.

One of the greatest challenges for families is finding the balance between allowing the aging parent their autonomy and protecting them from danger. Allowing the parent to maintain their autonomy is very important, but at the same time, ignoring memory changes that will impact driving, medications, or finances will put older adults at risk.

Thus, working through this challenge requires patience, open communication, and compassion from family members towards both their parents and each other.

When Families Should Seek Professional Help?

Changes in an older person’s memory may interfere with daily living. For example, road driving ability, accident avoidance, health care management, budgetary management, etc.

One should immediately seek help from professionals when the older adult is suffering from significant cognitive decline and has many health-related conditions that are affecting their cognitive ability.

By recognizing these warning signs, a family can take the appropriate steps to assist the older adult with memory problems before they reach a crisis point.

What an Evaluation May Include?

An evaluation should not cause fear but rather should provide family members with a baseline for what the problem is and how to treat the problem. An evaluation could consist of the following:

• Medical history and medication review – Many medications take time to get the “full effect” from them. They will create memory problems due to their interaction with the individual’s cognitive ability or the medication is not the appropriate dose to create a positive effect on the individual’s cognitive ability.
• Initial assessments of cognitive function – It will be conducted through a mix of cognitive testing to evaluate an individual’s memory, processing speed, problem-solving ability, and executive function.
• Physical/Non-physical tests – Certain blood tests and imaging may be needed to assist in determining an appropriate diagnosis.

Why Early Detection Matters?

If a person exhibits signs of changing memory, it is essential to take time for a thorough differentiated diagnosis as soon as possible. By doing this, both the doctor and the patient can utilize this information to eliminate reversible conditions, access proper treatment for any present conditions or diagnosis, connect with resources for the family, and also lay the groundwork for appropriate resources over time.

For individuals with Dementia, early diagnosis allows them to identify ways to plan for their future, make educated choices and express preferences regarding their own care, while they still have a high level of independence.

Another benefit of recognizing memory issues early is its positive impact can improve overall quality of life. It can be accessed before the issues become more challenging. Hence, the routines can be adjusted, pressure can be reduced and a support system can be created.

How Families Can Offer Support?

Whether a person has normal memory loss due to aging or has signs of early Dementia will determine the appropriate strategies to support each individual to improve their quality of life daily through exercise, improving socialization and enhancing their cognitive abilities.

Families can help their loved ones through!

• Maintaining respectful and calm ways of communicating even during difficulties related to frustration.
• Focusing on the abilities your loved one has. This will help with maintaining their self-confidence and dignity while they experience memory loss.
• Promoting a healthy lifestyle for your loved one. It includes promoting physical activity, social engagement and mental stimulation.
• Avoiding resolving arguments regarding memory errors with your loved one. 

Conclusion

Everyone experiences forgetting their weekly grocery list once in a while. The true measure of what you should focus on is not necessarily how you forget someone’s name or how you lost your keys but the overall pattern for each of those types of memories over time.

Being attentive to others, when they are consistently beginning to experience changes, whether through their behaviour, is an act of kindness, not criticism. Family members who respond early with understanding, openness, and empathy greatly increase the chance that the other person will be able to understand what’s happening to them, receive assistance, and maintain quality of life.

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