Member: I have an older loved one who has become more forgetful in recent years. I worry it might be Alzheimer’s, but how do I know? —Suzanne, Rochester
Doctor: Thank you for the question, Suzanne. Age-related memory loss is a common concern and though Alzheimer’s disease often comes to mind, there are many factors to consider.
First, it is not unusual for older adults to experience a slight decline in memory as they age. It’s when memory loss becomes
unmanageable and impairs quality of life that it becomes a medical concern.
If that is the case, it could be an early sign of dementia, the symptoms of which are impairment to memory, reasoning, judgement, language and other thinking skills. Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia—thought to account for 60–80 percent of cases, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
The greatest Alzheimer’s risk factor is age. Family history is another risk factor. Research suggests that some lifestyle and wellness-related factors— such as head trauma and heart health—might also play a role.
Unfortunately, there is not a single, simple way to test for Alzheimer’s. Evaluation can involve physical and neurological exams, memory and problem solving tests, brain imaging, and more. However, there are some early dementia signs you can look for, including:
- Repeatedly asking the same questions
- Forgetting common words while speaking
- Confusing simple words
- Taking longer to complete familiar tasks
If your loved one experiences any of these symptoms, it’s important to talk to a doctor about them. Though Alzheimer’s is not treatable, many other causes of memory loss are.
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