Normal aging vs. dementia

Most of us who reach the age of 65 begin to have some worries about our memory.

Almost 40 per cent of people over the age of 65 experience some form of memory loss. Things like not remembering details of a conversation that took place a year ago, not remembering the name of an acquaintance, forgetting things and events occasionally and sometimes having difficulty finding a word, or misplacing items and having to work at retracing your steps to find them are considered normal challenges of aging.

Memory issues that disrupt your daily life are not a typical part of aging and may be an indicator of dementia. Dementia is a term used to describe a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce your ability to perform everyday activities. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which is a fatal, progressive degenerative disease that destroys brain cells.

Alzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. Many other health issues and diseases can create dementia. It is important to see a doctor as the changes may be due to other conditions such as depression, drug interactions or an infection which can be treated and reversed. If the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s disease, a timely diagnosis will help you get treatment, information and support. To help you know the warning signs to look for, the Alzheimer Society has developed the following list:

1. Memory loss that affects day-to-day abilities

2. Difficulty performing familiar tasks 3. Problems with language 4. Disorientation in time and space 5. Impaired judgment 6. Problems with abstract thinking 7. Misplacing things 8. Changes in mood and behaviour 9. Changes in personality 10. Loss of initiative Further information on the warning signs can be found at

www.alzheimer.ca or by contacting the Alzheimer Society of Alberta and Northwest Territories Lethbridge at 403-329-3766 or Firstlinklethbridge@alzheimer. ab.ca.