Normal Aging Vs. Dementia

Many of our residents and family members are concerned about the difference between “normal” aging and dementia.   “Normal” or “healthy” aging is defined as the natural changes that occur in the absence of any disease.  Some changes in the ability to think are considered a normal part of the aging process.  Research by the Alzheimer’s disease Research Center in California (ADRC) has shown that healthy older adults experience a mild decline in some areas of cognition. These changes may occur in the areas of visual and verbal memory, visuospatial abilities, immediate memory, or the ability to name objects.

Current research indicates that normal aging can include some impairment with non-verbal memory, as well as control and maintenance of attention and immediate memory can be affected with normal aging.  The ADRC finds that vocabulary and verbal reasoning remain unchanged or may improve during the aging process, however the ability to generate words declines at a faster rate that the ability to name objects.  The decline usually begins around age 70.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, dementia refers to the loss of memory and other cognitive skills due to changes in the brain caused by disease or trauma.  The changes can affect thinking, memory, and reasoning and may occur gradually or quickly.  A recent article published by the Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network emphasizes that memory loss alone is not always a sign of dementia; however, memory loss combined with other forms of cognitive impairment is an indicator that dementia may be occurring.   Early signs of dementia may include:

• Repeatedly asking the same questions
• Becoming lost or disoriented
• Inability to follow directions 
• Lack of recognition or confusion about familiar people
• Neglect of personal safety, hygiene, and nutrition
• Loss of coordination or balance
• Difficulty with routine tasks such as bill paying

Current research in memory loss offers practical tips for the maintenance of a healthy memory.  Some “brain healthy” practices include:

• eating a diet rich in brain healthy foods such as fish, walnuts, blueberries, pomegranates, sweet potatoes, beans, green leafy vegetables, and healthy fats
• cut down on meat, alcohol, caffeine and sugar
• control diabetes
• regular exercise
• drink lots of water to detoxify your body
• learning a new skill or language
• reading books that challenge you
• completing crossword puzzles or other challenging games such as Sudoku

Heather Heights of Pittsford has partnered with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer an Educational Series to the community on the topic of Aging and Dementia.  They are free of charge and are taught by a member of the Alzheimer’s Association.