Today’s Topic: Recognizing & Dealing with Cognitive Impairment

When is forgetfulness normal?

The good news is that forgetting is a normal part of aging. Things like forgetting where you put your car keys or failing to recall an occasional word or a name are normal occurrences in the aging process. As we age, our brains shrink, and our ability to have names, words and other information at our fingertips may be slowed. It doesn't mean we've forgotten things, usually they come to us, but the retrieval of that information may take longer.

Some early signs of forgetfulness that may not be normal include forgetting things you typically remembered–such as doctor's appointments or your weekly Bridge game–and doing so more than once every now and then. If memory loss becomes more of a pattern, it should be a red flag for the possibility of a cognitive disorder. Memory loss may be due to Depression or an early memory-related problem called Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a memory loss issue that is often a precursor to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Or, it could be the onset of Alzheimer's disease.

Here are a few basic comparisons of serious memory loss versus normal forgetfulness:

 1. Memory loss -Forgetting recently learned information, or forgetting more often and unable to recall the information later.

 What's normal? Occasionally forgetting names or appointments.

 2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks - Struggling to plan or complete everyday tasks. Individuals may lose track of the steps involved in preparing a meal, placing a telephone call or playing a game.

 What's normal? Occasionally forgetting why you came into a room or what it was you planned to say.

 3. Language Problems - Forgetting simple words or substituting unusual words, like saying “my ear things” instead of the words “hearing aids.”

 What's normal? Occasional trouble finding the right word.

 4. Problems with abstract thinking - Having difficulty performing complex mental tasks like forgetting what numbers are for and how they should be used.

 What's normal? Finding it challenging to balance a checkbook.

What should you do if you begin noticing that a family member has begun to show signs of being more than "normally" forgetful?

Here are four ideas:

(1) Don't assume that your loved one's forgetting is normal.

(2) Begin making notes of some of the incidences of forgetfulness so you can later recount them when meeting with a physician.

(3) Suggest to your loved one that seeing a professional may be helpful in improving his/her memory.

(4) I recommend you see either a geriatric physician or a neurologist who works with memory loss issues. You’ll get a professional assessment of the problem and receive a definitive diagnosis. Knowing if the problem is physical or cognitive is crucial to establishing a plan to deal with whatever it may be. Recognize changes and don't delay taking action. It matters.

If you have questions, please e-mail them to me. Until next time, be well and thanks for caring.

Ron Kauffman is a Certified Senior Advisor and an expert on issues of aging and caregiving. He is the author of Caring for a Loved One with Alzheimer's Disease, available at www.seniorlifestyles.net. He can be reached by e-mail at , or by telephone at 561-626-4481.