Memory Problems and Alzheimer's


Many older adults are worried about becoming forgetful. They consider forgetfulness to be the first sign of Alzheimer's disease. However, not all people with memory problems have Alzheimer's.

Mark Berger Villa Healthcare CEO claims that other factors that can cause memory loss include aging, medical conditions, emotional problems, mild cognitive impairment, or another type of dementia.

Age-Related Changes in Memory


In Mark Berger’s opinion, forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. With age, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain. Due to this, seniors may notice difficulty with learning new things, not remembering information, or losing things. “There is nothing to worry about,” says the Villa Healthcare specialist,” These usually are signs of mild forgetfulness.”


Memory Loss Related to Medical Conditions


Villa Healthcare specialists point out that memory problems could be caused by certain medical conditions. Once a person gets treatment, these problems should go away. These medical problems include:
  • Tumors, blood clots, or brain infections
  • Thyroid, kidney, or liver disorder
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Head injury
  • Medication side effects
  • Not eating a healthy diet, vitamins and minerals deficiency.

Mark Berger warns that one should get appropriate medical treatment for these serious medical conditions as soon as possible.

Memory Loss Related to Emotional Problems


Stress, anxiety, or depression, can make a person more forgetful. For example, someone who is coping with the death of a loved person may feel sad, lonely, worried, or bored. This can make the person feeling confused or forgetful. However, this type of confusion and forgetfulness is temporary and goes away when the feelings fade.

What's Normal and What's Not?

Villa Healthcare cognitive specialists point out the difference between normal, age-related forgetfulness and a serious memory problem. According to them, serious memory problems cause problems with doing everyday things like driving and shopping. Signs for serious memory problems are asking the same questions over and over again, getting lost in familiar places, not being able to follow instructions, becoming confused about time, people, and places.

Mild Cognitive Impairment


Some seniors may have a condition called mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Seniors suffering from this disease may experience more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age. However, they can take care of themselves and do their everyday activities. This could be an early sign of Alzheimer's, however, not everyone with MCI will develop Alzheimer's disease.

Signs of MCI include losing things often, forgetting to go to important events or appointments, having more trouble coming up with desired words than other people of the same age.

Mark Berger recommends visiting your doctor every 6 to 12 months if you have MCI. Villa Healthcare offers Memory Care Treatment for older adults with memory problems.
 

Dementia


Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning like thinking, remembering, learning and reasoning. 

Dementia affects behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with daily life and activities.

Mark Berger Villa Healthcare claims that memory loss is not the only sign. Problems with language skills, visual perception, or paying attention can be also experienced. Some people, however, may have personality changes. Mark Berger considers dementia not a normal part of aging.

There are different forms of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common one. It is most occurring in people over age 65.

For more sernior-related article, visit Mark Berger's blog.

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