Should You Worry about Dementia or Is It Normal Memory Loss?
Have you ever gone into a room to get something and then forgotten what you went in to get?
Many people are afraid this may be a sign ofAlzheimer’s disease.
AJ_Watt / Getty Images
So, what are some differences between forgetfulness of normal aging and Alzheimer’s?
Retrieving Memories
In normal age-related memory loss, you may have trouble retrieving memories fromlong-term storage.
This leads to trouble accessing information, such asremembering names.
But these problems may be helped with aids, such as cueing and context.
In normal aging, you are likely to recall the word after a cue is provided.
There may be intrusions on your memory in Alzheimer’s.
Harvard Health Publishing.7 common causes of forgetfulness.
NIH National Institute on Aging.How is Alzheimer’s Disease treated?
NIH National Institute on Aging.Do Memory Problems Always Mean Alzheimer’s Disease?
Karantzoulis S, Galvin JE.Distinguishing Alzheimer’s disease from other major forms of dementia.Expert Rev Neurother.
Alzheimer’s Society.Is it Getting Older or Dementia?
University Hospitals.13 Early signs of Alzheimer’s Disease.
National Institute on Aging.Forgetfulness: Knowing When to Ask for Help.
