When a person ages it is normal for them to process information slower, experience sensory limitations and have problems with multi-tasking or task switching. Simple tasks don’t generally get impaired, yet complex tasks may do. The general attentional field may be affected meaning that the number of subjects a person can pay attention to at the same time changes
Whilst the above items are part of normal ageing it is when they start to progress from basic and slight impairment to more severe and prolonged impairment that dementia is apparent.
Here are some examples of normal ageing versus not normal
It is normal to have:
- SOME MEMORY LOSS
- SLOWER RESPONSE TIME
- DECREASED SOCIAL RESPONSE
- MILD MOOD FLUCTUATIONS
It is not normal to have:
- REPETITIVE QUESTIONING
- REPETITIVE STORYTELLING
- COGNITIVE DISRUPTION with DRIVING
- FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
- GENERAL PLANNING
- MOOD CHANGES
- DEPRESSION
- AGITATION
- AGGRESSION
- HYGIENE PROBLEMS
If these changes start to occur and a doctor is unsure about a diagnosis of dementia, they can now diagnosis MCI – Mild Cognitive Impairment. This is a precursor to dementia and is now a diagnosis in their DSM ( diagnostic manuals). This is very good to have on file for future changes.
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