When we see our aging parents or loved ones show signs of aging, it is painful. Seeing them slowly lose their physical facility and mental tenacity can be difficult, but we must understand that it is all part of life. But when it comes to old age, it is quite hard to determine what is normal and what is not. Deteriorating capabilities are a part of old age, but also symptoms of diseases and disorders. So how do we discern normal aging from age-related disorders?
This question is especially important because catching these symptoms early on makes a huge difference in terms of treatment. This is especially true of memory-related disorders like dementia, Alzheimer's, etc. Deteriorating memory can be normal with old age, but poor memory can also be signs of memory disorders. So how do we know the difference?
Normal Signs of Memory Deterioration
While memory deterioration is normal, some people may panic when they see their loved ones forgetting some incident, or remembering it differently. But these instances may not necessarily indicate anything. Here are a few normal signs of aging related to memory deterioration,
- Language pronunciation
- Trouble remembering names
- Lower verbal frequency
- Lower information processing speed
- Multi-tasking with new tasks
Abnormal Signs Of Memory Deterioration
While memory deterioration is normal, the following are important signs to watch out for,
- Forgetting recent events, names of close friends and family members, appointments or events
- Repeating the same questions and stories
- Misplaces items often.
- Loses focus or is easily distracted.
- May struggle with complex tasks
- Has no awareness of memory loss (may be a symptom of dementia)
- Poor judgment
- Decline in rational thinking and problem-solving (may be a symptom of dementia)
- Requiring assistance for even self-care (may be a symptom of dementia)
When you clearly know the signs to watch out for, identifying symptoms earlier becomes easier. People can get their loved ones the treatment they need for their memory deterioration when they detect symptoms earlier on. But it should be noted that only certified doctors or psychiatrists can truly diagnose memory-related problems, and these points are only to help people identify any signs early on.