Recognizing the signs of dementia
September 3, 2024
Living Well at Home
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Do you ever walk into a room and forget why you went in there? It happens to many of us. Forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging. It can also sometimes be related to other factors. These include stress, depression, or a lack of sleep. Forgetfulness becomes a concern when it disrupts your daily activities and is paired with function loss.
Dementia is the term to describe this kind of forgetfulness. There are several types of dementia, each affecting different areas of the brain. Alzheimer’s is the most common.
Dementia affects about one-third of adults aged 85 or older. While age is a risk factor, dementia is not a normal part of aging. Other risk factors for dementia may include:
- Recurrent brain injuries
- Genetics
- Hearing loss
- Heavy alcohol use
- Poor diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Lack of sleep
The signs of dementia
Dementia symptoms progress over time and can vary. Forgetfulness that disrupts your daily activities can be a sign of dementia. An example of this is forgetting how to get home from a routine stop or forgetting the names of loved ones. Forgetting how to do something, such as using the telephone, may also signal dementia.
Other signs may be changes in behavior. Examples include:
- Becoming paranoid
- Not taking care of yourself
- Withdrawing from social activities
- Depression
- Making poor decisions or judgments a lot of the time
- Having trouble following directions
- Asking the same questions over and over
- Losing track of the date or time of year
- Issues having a conversation
CCA clinicians perform cognitive assessments as part of a member’s Annual Wellness Exam. Speak to your providers about any memory concerns to determine what is right for you.
Maintaining your brain health
There is no cure for dementia but there are things you can do to address risk factors. As you age, it’s important to keep your mind active. Learning a new language or skill is a great way to stimulate your brain. Reading, playing games, socializing, working, or volunteering can also help keep your mind active. Here are a few other actions to take to address risk factors:
Sleep: The National Institute on Aging recommends sleeping generally 7-8 hours a night.
Eat a healthy diet: High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels may increase the risk of dementia. Eat a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and unsaturated fats. Limit saturated fat, trans fat, and sugars.
Physical activity: Physical activity helps you manage your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. The National Institute on Aging suggests at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. To help get you started, try some of these exercises.
Stop smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking increases your risk for many diseases. Drinking too much alcohol can lead to memory loss. It can also lead to falls and head injuries. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism recommends that men do not have more than two alcoholic drinks a day. Women should not have more than one alcoholic drink a day.
Social connection: Isolation and loneliness are linked to cognitive decline. Talk to your provider or health plan about programs and services they may offer to help you stay socially connected. For example, CCA’s Phone Buddy program addresses the issues of isolation and loneliness by pairing members with volunteers for 15-minute weekly phone calls.
CCA also developed the Friendship Project, in collaboration with CCA partner Advocates. This project pairs CCA members in the MetroWest area who have medical and mental health needs with volunteers that can provide companionship. Participants in the Friendship Project connect with each other in many ways. They may check in via phone, meet at the library or get together to work on common hobbies. The program aims to reduce social isolation and lower hospitalizations, emergency visits and other healthcare crises.
Treat hearing problems: Hearing problems are associated with dementia risk in older adults. People over the age of 60 should get their hearing checked annually.
Treatment may also help to reduce cognitive and functional decline. It’s important to stay engaged with your healthcare provider. Keep up with annual wellness visits to detect any issues early on.
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