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Suggest Treatment For Memory Loss In An Elderly Person
Question: Hello. A gerontologist has informed my mother that my 90 year old father has "mild cognitive impairment" instead of mild dementia. We don't exactly understand the difference since other doctors have called it "mild dementia" because of his repeating questions and memory loss although he can carry on conversations, read newspapers, watch television.
How do we understand the differences between dementia and cognitive impairment in the elderly? Thank you.
How do we understand the differences between dementia and cognitive impairment in the elderly? Thank you.
Brief Answer:
in dementia there are problems with daily activities
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
In MCI (mild cognitive impairment) , the changes in cognition are greater than what is expected with aging but less than dementia.
There may be slight memory loss, language disturbance (problem finding words), attention deficit (focusing), disorientation with surroundings.
The important aspect of MCI is there is no interference with daily activities, the person can still get on with what they need to do.
Some persons may go on to develop dementia
Dementia would be associated with problems with everyday activities, problems with reasoning or judgement
There are different types/causes of dementia (alzheimers, vascular- related to lack of blood to some parts of the brain, parkinson dementia etc)
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other changes
in dementia there are problems with daily activities
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
In MCI (mild cognitive impairment) , the changes in cognition are greater than what is expected with aging but less than dementia.
There may be slight memory loss, language disturbance (problem finding words), attention deficit (focusing), disorientation with surroundings.
The important aspect of MCI is there is no interference with daily activities, the person can still get on with what they need to do.
Some persons may go on to develop dementia
Dementia would be associated with problems with everyday activities, problems with reasoning or judgement
There are different types/causes of dementia (alzheimers, vascular- related to lack of blood to some parts of the brain, parkinson dementia etc)
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other changes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I know my father does experience disorientation when under great stress as returning after travel or being in hospital. But then he gets back to normal. He often repeats questions in the same conversation, and the greatest annoyance to my mother is that he often forgets to do certain​tasks , where he put his keys, money, etc. Also bouts of anger.
Brief Answer:
may need to monitor for progression
Detailed Answer:
HI
If there is continued deterioration in any of these areas (memory, disorientation) or you notice he no longer can help himself sufficiently at home, then he may have progressed to dementia
Anger , if not previously seen, can indicate personality changes. Some persons may also become angry because they realize that they are having problems.
It has been found that those with significant or progressing memory impairment, are more likely to develop dementia
If you are not sure of the diagnosis or want a second opinion, you guys can consider reassessment
Please feel free to ask any other questions
may need to monitor for progression
Detailed Answer:
HI
If there is continued deterioration in any of these areas (memory, disorientation) or you notice he no longer can help himself sufficiently at home, then he may have progressed to dementia
Anger , if not previously seen, can indicate personality changes. Some persons may also become angry because they realize that they are having problems.
It has been found that those with significant or progressing memory impairment, are more likely to develop dementia
If you are not sure of the diagnosis or want a second opinion, you guys can consider reassessment
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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