Memory slips – they seem like a common part of aging, but they can also be a sign of something fairly serious, including Alzheimer’s or even dementia. How can you tell the difference? What’s normal and when should you be concerned? Those smaller slips are often called Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI.
AgingCare.com recently posted an article to help you tell the difference.
Here are a few of the highlights from the piece.
- 20% of older adults suffer from MCI and increasing age is the most well-known factor.
- Symptoms typically include misplacing items, having trouble remembering the names of those recently met individuals, and being unable to follow a normal conversation. The more extreme the symptoms, though, the more likely it is to be an MCI case.
- Concerning MRI scans can also indicate MCI. The brain can actually undergo physical changes when MCI is present. However, that does not mean that it’s not Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia, as both of those tend to come with brain changes too.
- The earlier the diagnosis, the better. As soon as you notice cognitive problems in your loved one, head for the doctor. There are many therapies that can be implemented early on to help slow the progress of the condition.
- Diagnosis is difficult. Often obtaining the diagnosis is more difficult than you may have initially considered. The doctor will have to take a full medical and family history, then conduct a number of tests. There are also a few different types of MCI, so understanding which one your loved one may have can be tough.
- Post-diagnosis, things don’t always look better. The FDA hasn’t approved treatment for MCI. What’s more, though, is that it can increase the risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia, making things difficult.
Take the time to learn more about the condition by visiting the AgingCare.com post.
David York Agency Can Help
David York Agency (DYA) is skilled at recognizing the symptoms of various diseases endemic to the elderly and makes every effort to send caring and compassionate home health aides into the client’s home. DYA provides certified home health aide services for the elderly in their home and is abreast of all the latest guidelines and trends for seniors. We would be happy to discuss your case with you. Please call for a free consultation today at (718) 376-7755 or browse our website. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
