How to Tell the Difference Between Normal Forgetfulness & Dementia!

Aging is a part of life, there’s no doubt about it! But, is forgetfulness normal?

Is it normal to forget the little things as we age? Whether you forget an appointment, forget to pay a bill, or walk into a room and forget why you’re there, is that normal?

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, “in Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a person has problems with memory or another core brain function. These problems are severe enough to be noticeable to other people and show up on tests of mental function, but not serious enough to interfere with daily life.

People with MCI have an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the near future, especially when their main problem involves memory. However, not everyone diagnosed with MCI progresses to Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia.

What is Dementia?

Dementia is not a disease. It’s a general term that describes a set of symptoms that may be caused by a number of different brain disorders. These symptoms involve mental decline severe enough to disrupt daily life that affects more than one of the following core brain functions:

• Recent memory (the ability to learn and recall information)
• Language (the ability to write or speak, or to understand written or spoken words)
• Visuospatial Function (the ability to understand and use symbols, maps, etc. and the ability to correctly judge where objects are)
• Executive function (the ability to plan, reason, solve problems and focus on a task)”

You may ask yourself: Will I get dementia? Is my forgetfulness a sign that I’ll be diagnosed with dementia when I’m older?

No, not necessarily. There are certain factors that increase your risks as you age. If you’re aware of those things and make some lifestyle changes, you should be well on your way to living a long and happy life!

Get Started Today: Schedule a Tour!

Our memory care facility is available for those who suffer from the following memory illnesses: long-term memory loss, short-term memory loss, Huntington’s disease, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and even those who suffer from a traumatic brain injury.

We can help your family create peace of mind. When you’re at home you’ll know your loved one is taken care of and in good hands. Hillside Terrace – “Where our family shares life with your family!” We warmly invite you to see the difference we can make when your family shares life with our family. Schedule a tour of Hillside Terrace today– a facility for memory care in Ann Arbor.

Contact us for more information about memory care offered at Hillside Terrace.