Senior Advantage

If you or someone you love shows signs of memory loss, talking with your doctor and getting treatment early can help slow the progression of this condition. It can also provide an opportunity to plan and discuss the best path forward.

“There is some relatively mild memory loss that comes with aging,” notes Dodge Slagle, DO, Clinical Program Director of the Geropsychiatric Unit at Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center. “Maybe it takes longer to think of a name, but you still remember it. When people forget very meaningful things, such as how to get home, it’s probably time to intervene,” he says.

There’s no simple test to determine if you have Alzheimer’s, but doctors can use diagnostic instruments to screen for memory loss, Dr. Slagle says. Evaluation by a neurologist, mental health professional and/or geriatrician can support a more accurate diagnosis. “Family members are sometimes hesitant to point out the patient’s deficit; they don’t want to hurt their loved ones’ feelings or offend them,” he notes. But patients may not always remember what they’re forgetting, so having a relative or friend’s input is important.

“The treatment we have today is better at preventing the condition from getting worse than reversing what’s been lost,” Dr. Slagle says. “Eventually, the condition will catch up, but the treatments do help."

While Alzheimer’s is the most well-known form of cognitiveimpairment,* other neurocognitive disorders can impact memory and thinking, including brain injury,  vascular conditions such as a stroke, and dementia with Lewybodies, which exhibits symptoms of both Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimers, Dr. Slagle says.

Also, memory problems can sometimes be caused by medications or conditions, such as depression, drug interactions and thyroid problems. In these cases memory impairment may be reversed with successful treatment.

Friends and family members may wonder how to best support a loved one with cognitive decline. Dr. Slagle suggests you consider, “What are the most caring things you can do, knowing the situation?”

“Caregivers need lots of support as well,” Dr. Slagle notes. Giving thema break, such as staying with their loved one for a few hours, can make a big difference.

Talk with your doctor if you or a family member has concerns about a cognitive condition. Helpful information can also be found on the Alzheimer’s Association website at www.alz.org.