As people get older, it is common for them to develop some forgetfulness. This is because there are fewer connections between brain cells, a natural occurrence of aging. Dementia can also result in forgetfulness, and many of the symptoms are similar – but there is a difference between the two.
It is not unusual for seniors to have some forgetfulness, whether they have dementia or not. Forgetting where they put their keys, glasses, or where they park their car is relatively common.
Causes of Dementia
Researchers have recently been studying the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer’s Disease. Some are calling Alzheimer’s Diabetes 3, believing that there is a disruption in normal metabolism processes that deal with glucose. Most doctors, however, do not yet accept this conclusion.
Types of Dementia
There are ten recognized forms of dementia. Each has different causes and symptoms, resulting in memory loss, mood changes, difficulty performing familiar tasks, forgetting names, confusion, and poor judgment. Eventually, they all lead to death.
Normal Forgetting
Forgetting some things as you get older is not uncommon. It can happen because of being focused on something else, which can seem absent-minded. Issues such as anxiety, sadness, and depression can also result in memory loss and forgetfulness because of being focused on what caused those emotions.
Although you may forget where you put your keys or someone’s name, it will return to you later. Someone might give you a clue to what you forgot, and the clue will help you remember. Also, normal memory loss will not interrupt your normal activities, and it will not get much worse.
Some health situations can also cause memory loss, but they are reversible. These conditions include an injury to the head, not having enough B-12 in your body, hypothyroidism, sleep apnea, brain disease such as a tumor or infection, some medicine, and alcohol abuse.
Memory Loss Caused by Dementia
When dementia is present, the loss of memory is more severe. The individual will forget the names of friends and will have difficulty remembering some words. Prompting the individual will not help.
Over time, the loss of memory becomes worse. The person might start to repeat questions or substitute words, such as using the word “chair” instead of “bed.” They may also put items in unusual places or get lost in a familiar area.
Dementia Is Progressive
A major difference between forgetfulness and dementia is that dementia is progressive. It continues to grow worse, and it cannot be stopped. It causes memory loss and leads to the individual forgetting how to perform their daily functions.
When the symptoms of dementia start to become apparent, it is time to see a doctor. Getting a diagnosis from a doctor can enable treatment to begin.
Who Gets Dementia
The older a person gets, the more likely they are to get dementia. Only 3% of people aged 70 to 74 have the disease, but 22% of people aged 85 to 89 will get it. Women are more likely to develop it, probably because they live longer than men.
Medications Are Available
Although there is no treatment to eliminate Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, some medications can slow the speed of its development. Giving the medicine in the early stages produces the best results. Unfortunately, most people do not get a diagnosis soon enough because of confusing ordinary forgetfulness and dementia.
When someone has dementia, it is possible to provide at-home care for some time. Sooner or later, care will need to be given at a dementia care facility.
