The Impact of Age-Related Memory Loss
Do you find yourself unable to perform everyday activities that once were second-nature to you, such as cooking, carrying on a conversation, or recalling basic knowledge? To a certain degree, mild memory loss can be a common part of aging. While you might sometimes find yourself misplacing your wallet or lapsing on an acquaintance’s name, this is not always an indicator of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
However, your mental abilities and cognitive functioning should remain largely unaffected by normal aging. Occasional forgetfulness should not interfere with your ability to work, live independently, or maintain healthy relationships. You should still be able to retain common sense, the ability to reason and form logical judgments.
What Is Dementia?
Dementia is characterized by a consistent decline in two or more of cognitive functions, such as memory, reasoning, language, and judgment. The onset of dementia can be gradual, and it’s important to diagnose mild cognitive impairment early in order to begin treatment that helps manage symptoms and prevent them from progressing further. Luckily, with the availability of skilled nursing care in Macomb, this can be done from the comfort of your own home.
What Causes Memory Loss?
While Alzheimer’s disease is recognized as the leading cause of dementia, there are several other conditions that cause memory loss or other dementia-like symptoms. Fortunately, many can be reversible with early intervention. Minor head trauma, emotional disorders, alcoholism and certain medications are some possible causes of reversible memory loss.
The main thing to know about memory loss is that it should not interfere with your everyday life. For example, while you might occasionally miss a turn on your daily work commute, getting lost while driving in a familiar area is a cause for concern. You might also occasionally forget about an appointment but should not have overdue bills piling up. You might have a word on the “tip of your tongue,” but your sentences should not be garbled.
What Can Be Done?
Fortunately, with services like skilled nursing care in Chesterfield available, people with early symptoms of memory loss are able to live comfortably in their house. Arranging for visits from one of these caregivers is an excellent way to remember to take medication and make your way safely to appointments. These professionals work on your schedule and make it possible to manage health concerns while maintaining your independence.
Establishing a regular exercise routine and following a healthy diet are also great ways to keep the mind sharp and improve cognitive functioning. Try to keep your mind active and challenged with activities like completing a crossword puzzle, learning a new language, and reading for at least 30 minutes each day.