Bad memory can be a normal part of aging. Some older adults also find that they do not perform as well as younger people when they complete complex memory or learning tests. But scientists have found that if they are given enough time, healthy older people can perform just as well as young people in these tests. In fact, as they get older, healthy adults usually improve in areas of mental ability such as vocabulary.
Dementia: Dementia is the loss of the ability to think, remember and reason and behavioral skills to such an extent that it interferes with the life and daily activities of a person. Dementia is not a disease in itself, but a group of symptoms caused by certain diseases or disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Symptoms of dementia may include:
- Not being able to remember things
- Ask the same question or repeat the same story over and over again
- Losing yourself in familiar places
- Difficulty in trying to follow instructions
- Be disoriented about time, people and places
- Difficulty managing money and paying bills
- Having an increase in anxiety or aggression
Treatment for dementia
A person who has dementia must be under the care of a doctor and also ask for help from Dementia UK specialist. The doctor can be a neurologist, a general practitioner, an internist, a geriatrician or a psychiatrist. The doctor can help treat the patient’s physical problems and behavioral problems (such as agitation or the problem of wandering) and answer the many questions that the person or family members may have. Dementia UK provides specialist for the people who suffer with dementia.
People with dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease can be treated with medications. There are several medications approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration to treat Alzheimer’s disease. In some people, these medications can slow down the progression of certain problems, such as memory loss, allowing them to remain independent longer. They can also help with certain behavior problems. However, none of these medications can stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Many scientific studies are investigating medications and other interventions to prevent or delay Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline.
People with vascular dementia should take steps to prevent future strokes. These measures include controlling high blood pressure, monitoring and treating high cholesterol and diabetes, and not smoking.