Mild Cognitive Memory Loss Vs. Dementia in the Elderly

Memory loss, Alzheimer’s, or the loss of other cerebral functions is often associated with old age. Due to the lack of research in the field, there are many misconceptions when it comes to the mental health of seniors.

 For instance, one of the most common mistakes that people make when it comes to senior care is making the difference between mild cognitive memory loss or dementia.

 To get you a better idea of the two, we are going to take a closer look at mild cognitive memory loss and dementia to find the main differences between the two and the reasons why they are mistakenly used interchangeably.

Symptoms of Mild Cognitive Impairment

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a common condition amongst the elderly and is characterized by a noticeable decline in a person’s memory and attention. Some of the main symptoms of MCI often include misplacing items, forgetfulness, and an inability to find the correct words in a sentence while talking. Even if your senior loved one is showing these symptoms, it does not mean that they can no longer live with the same amount of support that they are currently getting.

 In other words, if your elderly loved one is already living at home comfortably, then there is no need to make any drastic changes just yet. More often than not, seniors with MCI can live comfortable with regular, scheduled visits by in-home care providers to help them out with the tasks that they find difficult, without the need for hiring full-time in-home care providers.

Symptoms of Dementia

‘Dementia’ is a blanket term used for a number of different conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. It is important to note that unlike MCI, these conditions are far more severe since they all involve a serious decline in one’s cognitive functions.

 For instance, some of the abilities that Alzheimer’s disease impairs in a person are speech, language, memory, judgment, and abstract thinking, all of which can be hindered in varying degrees depending on the individual. If a loved one is no longer able to enjoy the activities and hobbies that they once took part in due to Alzheimer’s disease, then it is considered to be a serious mental decline.

 Some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia include activities such as being able to take a shower or dress up without support or assistance. It is also common for patients of dementia to follow simple instructions, which makes it difficult for them to live without any assistance. This is also one of the reasons why seniors with dementia are often admitted to a senior care facility so that they can be properly cared for.

 The good news for seniors nowadays is that in-home care agencies provide professional caregivers to families who need experienced senior care for their elderly loved ones. The good thing is that the professional services that in-home care services provide make it possible for seniors to live in the comfort of their own home, despite having MCI, Alzheimer’s or some other form of dementia.