Having a “Senior Moment:” Is It Aging, or Alzheimer’s?
Most of the time, “senior moments” are just that, moments that will pass and not amount to anything more serious. Here is a guide to when you should be more concerned.
As we age, it's natural to feel our memory and cognitive functions are changing. At some point everyone misplaces their phone or has to stop and think a bit about where the car is parked in a busy parking lot!
Most of the time these “senior moments” are just that, moments that will pass and not amount to anything more serious. However, “senior moments” can be an important signal to pay attention to if they become frequent and problematic. Perhaps the phone has been getting lost daily, or the car is lost and cannot be located without the help of others. That kind of change in ability is not expected from aging alone, and may be a sign of a more serious condition such as Alzheimer's disease.
If you or someone you care about is experiencing any of the signs of Alzheimer’s and dementia described in the table below, it’s important to be evaluated. Signs alone are not a diagnosis, and there are other illnesses, stress, or medications that can create symptoms like those of Alzheimer’s.
By alerting your primary care provider to the concerning signs you’ve noticed, they can either do an assessment and/or refer you to a “memory care specialist”. These specialists can be either a geriatrician, a neurologist, or a geriatric psychiatrist. They are experts in diagnosing and caring for people with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
