Normal Aging vs Dementia
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is important to understand the differences between normal aging vs the signs and symptoms of dementia.
Normal Aging
Aging is a normal process of our lives. As we age, we experience changes to our brains and bodies some of these changes can affect us physically and mentally. Each one of us experiences aging in our own way and when it becomes noticeable is different for everyone.
What affects how you age?
Besides genetic factors, how we age depends on our lifestyles and environments.
Generally, we can support health aging by challenging our brains, eating healthy and being physically and socially active, among other lifestyle choices.
Below are the signs of memory loss as part of normal aging:
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1. You are unable to remember the details of a conversation from a year ago.
2. you are unable to remember the name of an acquaintance.
3. You forget things occasionally
4. You are worried about your memory, but your friends and relatives are not.
Dementia
Dementia is not a diagnosis or disease it is a set of symptoms that progressively gets worse overtime. Symptoms include: memory loss, disorientation, behavior changes and confusion. Here are common signs of dementia:
1. You are unable to recall details of recent events or conversations.
2. You are unable to recognize or know the names of friends and family members.
3. You forget things more frequently.
4. You friends and relatives are worried about your memory, but you are not aware of any problems.
5. Language problems: Difficulty speaking, understanding, or expressing thoughts, or problems with words in writing
Other problems: Misplacing things, losing the ability to retrace steps, or trouble handling money
RULE OF THUMB:
If you know you are forgetting you are ok, it is when you are unaware that you are forgetting that there could be a problem.