Memory Loss: The Signs And The Symptoms

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Editor’s note: Third Age staff recently came across a wonderful resource when it comes to memory care. Rita Altman, Vice President, Memory Care and Programming for Sunrise Senior Living, regularly shares guidance on how to approach concerns and decisions regarding memory loss on a blog posted through Sunrise. The insights Rita shared in a recent post, which you can read below, is very useful and might mirror something you or a loved one have experienced.  

Q: “Mom is able to present very well and often people are not aware of her dementia. However, she forgets things that foster anxiety and she believes people are stealing her clothes. She has difficulty following conversations in a small group or in the dining room and remains in her apartment instead of interacting with others. The one thing that she continuously says is that ‘at least [I] still [have] a sharp mind.’ We don’t know what to do for her or when she will need to leave her apartment.”

A: It appears that your mother is showing some signs and symptoms of memory loss and it would be important to find out the cause since some forms of memory loss are permanent, while others, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid disease, infection, stress, sleep disorders are potentially reversible. Before making any decisions, I would recommend that you encourage her to see a physician to have her general health evaluated and to do a cognitive screen to assess her memory. A geriatrician would be able to do a thorough physical assessment as well as a cognitive screen and recommend the proper treatment protocol.

She seems to be aware, on some level, that she is having difficulty in keeping up with conversations and is beginning to isolate herself to avoid embarrassing or stressful moments due to her inability to follow and respond to the conversations of others in these social settings. In repeatedly saying that she has a ‘sharp mind,’ it seems like she is doing her best to remain positive, but she might also be in some degree of denial, which is very common for not only the person with memory loss, but also their family members or loved ones. I commend you for your concern and for wanting to ensure that she is in the right setting.

There are some additional things to consider as you look at when it might be time for her to move out of her apartment to a more supportive environment:

Safety

Does she remember to turn off appliances?

Can she administer her own medications properly?

Does she remember her address and can she find her way back to her apartment independently?

Is she able to independently manage her finances and make good financial decisions?

Companionship

Current research indicates that remaining socially engaged is associated with better cognitive health. When individuals begin to avoid socializing and having conversations with others, they do not reap the amazing benefits of keeping involved with meaningful and purposeful activities. Failure to engage can possibly result in even further cognitive decline (the ‘use it or lose it’ concept).

If you or her physician have concerns about her cognitive status, it might be time to begin to explore other living options, such as assisted living with a memory care support group. In these specialized care programs, residents receive more personalized assistance, activities programs that encourage socialization and a compensatory memory aids that help promote independence.

Rita Altman, R.N., M.S.N., C.V.M., is VP of Memory Care for Sunrise Senior Living, which provides seniors with services including companion living, independent and assisted living and short-term stays. Original post reprinted with permission from Sunrise Senior Living. 

Original post reprinted with permission from Sunrise Senior Living.